o 


1Tb  hary 

OF   THE 
UNIVERSITY 
OF    ILLINOIS 


285o4 

P27h 
cop,2 


RVEV 

SURVEY 


rO^FU^ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign 


http://www.archive.org/details/historyofsomonauOOpatt 


HISTORY  OF  SOMONAUK  UNITED 
PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


oq 


o 


HIS  TOR r 


OF  THE 


Somonauk 
United  Presbyterian  Qhurch 

near  Sandwich,  De  Kalb  Qounty 
Illinois 

TVith  Ancestral  Lines  of  the 
Early  Members 

BY 

JENNIE  M.  PATTEN 

IN  COLLABORATION 
WITH 

ANDREW  GRAHAM 


Appended  are  documents,  family  letters,  etc. 

tracing  the  Somonauk  Qolony  to  its  origins  in 

Washington  Qounty,  New  York,  Scotland 

and  the  North  of  Ireland 


PRIVATELY  PRINTED 
FOR 

James  A.  Patten  and  Henry  J.  Patten 

CHICAGO 

1928 


DEDICATED 

TO       THE       MEMORY       OF 

GEORGE       AND 

ANN       HOY 

BEVERIDGE 


FOREWORD 

The  materials  for  this  book  have  been 
gathered  by  Jennie  M.  Patten  during  the 
course  of  a  long  life  devoted  to  study  of  original 
documents  and  the  records  of  a  wide  circle  of 
families  of  this  church  community.  We  are  in- 
debted to  Andrew  Graham  who  mainly  wrote 
the  general  history  of  the  church  community, 
in  the  preparation  of  which  he  has  been  very  ably 
assisted  by  Estelle  F.  Ward.  Large  credit  should 
also  be  given  to  Caroline  M.  Mcllvaine  who  has 
co-operated  in  the  preparation  of  the  book  for 
publication. 

James  A.  Patten 
Henry  J.  Patten 

February,  1928 


CONTENTS 

HISTORY 

The  Immigrants   1-6 

The  Pioneer   7-11 

Reminiscences  of  John  L.  Beveridge 12-14 

Somonauk's  Pioneer  Days 15-18 

Land  Troubles    19-21 

Church  Records    22-25 

Pastorate  of  Mr.  French 26-35 

Commerce  of  the  Prairies 36-39 

The  Gold  Fever 40-43 

Railroads   • 44-46 

Later  Settlers    47-48 

The  New  Church  Building 49-50 

Doctrines   5 1-54 

The  Panic  of   1857 55-56 

The   Underground  Railroad 57-65 

Later  Church  Records 66-72 

Dedication  of  the  Tablet 73-75 

ANCESTRAL  LINES 

Armstrong 79-83      McClellan    182-190 

Beveridge 83-103      McEachron    190-196 

Boyd 103-104      MahafTey    196-198 

Cole   105-107      McKee    198-199 

Dobbin   107-115      Mercer   199-201 

Ferguson    115-117      Moffett    202-203 

French   117-123      More    203-204 

Gilchrist   124-126      Morrison    204-206 

Graham    127-143      Orr 206-207 

Harper    143-148      Patten 207-224 

Henry 148-154      Randies    224-226 

Howison 154-158      Robertson     227-230 

Irwin    158-160      Shankland 230 

Kennedy 160-161      Stewart    231-234 

Kirkpatrick    161-167      Thompson    234 

McAllister    168-171      Walker 235-237 

McCleery   172-181      White   237-239 

APPENDIX 

Links  With  the  Past: 

Scotland  and  Ireland 243 

Washington  County,  New  York . 243-245 

Illinois    245 


APPENDIX 

De  Kalb  County  First  Things 245-247 

Chief   Shabbona   247-249 

Early  Schools 249-250 

Temperance  Society 250-25 1 

Oak  Mound   Cemetery 25  1 

Members  of  Somonauk  Church,  1849-1878 252-257 

Family  Letters: 

Eleanor  C.  Pratt  to  Agnes  Beveridge 258-263 

Elizabeth  Miller  to  Agnes  Beveridge 264 

Mrs.  Amanda  Miller  to  Mrs.  George  Beveridge 264-265 

Nesbett  to  Agnes  Beveridge 265-266 

Andrew  M.  Beveridge,  D.D.,  to  Agnes  Beveridge 266-268 

Martha  Patten  to  William  Patten 268-270 

Alexander  R.  Patten  to  William  Patten 270-273 

Alexander  R.  Patten  to  Agnes  Beveridge  Patten 273-276 

William  Patten  and  Elizabeth  Pratt  Patten 276-291 

Mrs.  William  Patten  to  Her  Sister 283-284 

George  Howison  to  Alexander  Henry 292-294 

J.  M.  Hummel  to  Andrew  Graham 294-296 

The  Rev.  J.  P.  Miller 296 

The  Argyle  Patent  and  Documents: 

i.  Petition  Dated  October  17,  1738 297-299 

ii.  Petition  of  23d  February,  1763,  Report  and  Minutes.  .  .  299-302 

iii.  Report  of  Committee  of  the  Council,  2d  May,  1763.    .  .  302-305 

iv.  Memorial  of  Duncan  Read  and  Others,  14th  Sept.,  1763.  306-307 

v.  Petition  of  Trustees  for  Emigrants,  1st  February,  1764.  .  307-310 

vi.  The  Argyle  Patent 311-324 

vii    Grantees  Named  in  the  Argyle  Patent  With  Holdings.     .  324-325 

viii.  List  of  the  Families  Brought  from  Scotland,  1738-1740.  326-329 

ix.   Same  as  above.    (Probably  prepared  in  1763) 329-335 

x.  A  Further  Account,  10th  of  May,  1763 336-338 

xi.  Petition  of  Sarah  Shaw,  August  12,  1771 338-340 

xii.  Deed  to  Lot  No.  32  to  Alexander  McNaughton 340-346 

The  Turner  Patent 346 

Washington  County  Families: 

The  McNaughton  Family 347"^ 

The  Livingston  Family 352/3 5] 

The  Savage  Family AlAe 

The  Gillaspie  Family   354- 

The  Clark  Family 355-358 

"To  the  Pioneers  of  the  West" 358 

Index 359 


xn 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

FACING 

Sketch  of  the  George  Beveridge  Cabin  (Frontispiece) v 

George  and  Ann  Hoy  Beveridge vii 

Andrew  Graham  and  Jennie  M.  Patten ix 

Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church 20 

Oak  Mound  Cemetery , 20 

Rev.  Rensselaer  W.  French,  First  Pastor 22 

William  Patten,  First  Elder 24 

David  Miller  Dobbin,  First  Elder 2+ 

George  Beveridge  House,  1851-2 34 

Dedication  of  Church  Tablet 34 

Rev.  William  T.  Moffett,  Second  Pastor 66 

Rev.  David  S.  Kennedy,  Third  Pastor 66 

The  Donation  Visit 68 

The  Parsonage 70 

Schoolhouse     70 

Church  Tablet   74 

Rev.  Andrew  M.  Beveridge  and  Wife 92 

John  C.  Beveridge  and  Wife 92 

Thomas  G.  Beveridge  and  Wife 94 

Simon  N.  and  Edward  M.  Patten 94 

Jennie  M.  Patten    94 

James  Hoy  Beveridge  and  Wife 96 

John  L.  Beveridge  and  Wife 96 

Andrew  Beveridge,  Wife  and  Son 102 

William  French  and  Wife 120 

James  Henry  and  Wife 120 

Andrew  Graham  and  Wife 134 

Mrs.  George  Howison * 134 

Mrs.  R.  W.  French 134 

Golden  Wedding  of  James  and  Jennett  Henry 149 

Alexander  R.  Patten 210 

Mrs.  James  Patten 210 

Mrs.  William  Patten,  First 210 

Mrs.  William  Patten,  Second 210 

Robert  Patten  and  Wife 218 

Sarah  French   218 

Charles,  Anna  and  Jennie  Patten 218 

Alexander  R.  Patten  and  Wife 222 

James,  George,  Thomas  and  Henry  Patten 224 

John  Walker  and  Wife 236 

Daniel  N.  Boyd 236 

William  Robertson 236 


xm 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

South  Argyle  Church,  on  page 241 

Signatures  on  Deed  of  Lot  32,  on  page 344 

MAPS  facing 

Washington  County,  New  York 7 

Vicinity  of  Somonauk,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois 76 

The  South  of  Scotland  and  North  of  Ireland 243 

The  Argyle  Patent 296 


xiv 


HISTORY 


SOMONAUK  CHURCH 

The  Immigrants 

Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church,  standing 
as  it  does  today  five  miles  north  and  two  miles  west 
of  the  town  of  Sandwich,  De  Kalb  County,  in  the  midst 
of  a  prosperous  farming  community  on  the  prairie  lands  of 
northern  Illinois,  is  in  reality  a  memorial  to  the  racial  char- 
acteristics of  its  founders.  Strong  in  simple  Christian  faith, 
loyal  and  persistent  in  the  path  of  duty  as  they  saw  it,  wisely 
frugal  and  industrious,  yet  with  an  idealistic  strain  which  found 
expression  in  the  service  of  their  church,  these  pioneers  preserved 
the  traditional  qualities  of  the  Scotch  and  Scotch-Irish  from 
whom  they  were  descended.  The  tribal  instinct  of  the  Highland 
clan,  dominant  in  their  blood,  had  kept  them  together  in  com- 
munities made  up  of  their  own  people,  generations  after  other 
racial  groups  of  the  early  American  settlers  had  lost  their 
identity.  Such  were  the  founders  of  Somonauk  Church  and 
such  were  the  people  of  Washington  County,  New  York,  the 
first  American  home  of  their  forefathers. 

Forty  years  previous  to  the  American  Revolution  a  group 
of  Highland  Scotch  and  Scotch-Irish  immigrants  came  to 
America  and  settled  in  eastern  New  York.  A  hardy,  independent 
and  high-principled  people,  accustomed  to  carry  arms,  they  were 
a  type  of  immigrant  particularly  encouraged  by  the  colonial 
governors  as  settlers  of  the  border  territory  where  they  could 
be  depended  upon  to  furnish  a  degree  of  protection  from  the 
Indians  and  French  to  the  communities  farther  to  the  south. 

They  occupied  a  tract  of  land  lying  east  of  the  Hudson 
River  in  Washington  County,  covering  some  forty  square 
miles  of  farming  lands  in  the  foothills  of  the  Green  Mountains, 
which  constituted  what  is  known  today  as  Argyle  Presbytery, 

1 


Somonauk  Church 

comprising  the  congregations  of  Salem,  Argyle,  South  Argyle, 
Greenwich,  Cambridge,  Coila  and  West  Hebron. 

Their  forebears,  mostly  Presbyterian  Highland  Scotch  living 
in  the  glens  and  mountains  of  western  Scotland,  had  found 
the  times  of  the  early  eighteenth  century  grown  intolerable. 
The  rising  of  1715  on  behalf  of  the  Stuart  heir  to  the  throne 
had  brought  some  of  them  into  disrepute  with  the  House  of 
Hanover.  Unfavorable  economic  conditions  also  had  their  share 
in  the  general  discontent  and,  above  all,  the  theological  dis- 
sensions within  their  own  Church  of  Scotland,  which  was  riven 
into  innumerable  factions,  made  a  change  of  home  highly 
desirable.  Some  sought  refuge  in  northern  Ireland.  Others,  it 
is  not  surprising  to  find,  looked  beyond  the  sea  to  the  American 
colonies  where  in  the  wilderness  they  might  hope  to  find  polit- 
ical and  religious  freedom. 

In  1738  a  group  of  Argyleshire  families  belonging  to  the 
Scotch  Presbyterian  Church  came  to  consider  with  favor  an 
offer  made  by  the  Provincial  Governor  of  the  New  York  Col- 
ony to  Captain  Laughlin  Campbell,  of  the  Island  of  Islay,  the 
ancient  dwelling-place  of  the  Lord  of  the  Isles.  The  Governor 
offered  a  thousand  acres  of  land  to  every  adult  person,  and  to 
every  child  who  paid  passage,  five  hundred  acres,  if  Captain 
Campbell  would  engage  to  bring  five  hundred  persons  to  settle 
the  frontier  near  Lake  George.  "Loyal  Protestant  Highland- 
ers," the  provincial  proclamation  read,  "should  make  a  reliable 
corps  of  defenders  on  our  northern  border." 

In  consequence,  in  the  years  1738,  1739  and  1740,  groups 
of  prospective  settlers,  totaling  four  hundred  and  seventy-two 
persons,  were  brought  by  Captain  Campbell  to  the  new  world. 
Unfortunately,  by  the  time  these  settlers  had  arrived,  the  pro- 
vincial authorities,  for  various  reasons,  had  changed  their  plans 
and  so  failed  to  keep  their  part  of  the  contract.  Captain  Camp- 
bell, ruined  by  the  expense  which  he  had  incurred,  died  of  a 
broken  heart.  His  sons,  however,  persisting  in  their  demands 


The  Immigrants 

that  something  of  the  contract  must  be  kept,  were  joined  by  a 
large  number  of  colonists  led  by  Alexander  McNaughton, 
and  in  1764  succeeded  in  securing  a  grant  of  forty-seven  thou- 
sand four  hundred  fifty  acres,  known  as  the  Argyle  Patent, 
in  the  township  of  Argyle  and  in  parts  of  the  towns  of  Fort 
Edward,  Greenwich  and  Salem,  in  Washington  County,  upon 
which  the  Scotch  colonists  and  their  descendants  took  up  their 
abode. 

The  same  year  a  group  of  Scotch-Irish,  some  of  them  related 
to  the  settlers  on  the  Argyle  Patent,  came  from  Pelham,  Massa- 
chusetts, and  settled  near  them. 

On  May  10,  1764,  the  Reverend  Dr.  Thomas  Clark,  a 
Scotchman  born  in  Galloway,  left  Cahans,  near  Ballibay, 
County  Monaghan,  Ireland,  accompanied  by  his  entire  con- 
gregation of  three  hundred  souls,  and  journeyed  to  the  port  of 
Newry.  Here  they  set  sail  for  New  York.  Their  arrival  on  the 
following  28th  of  July  was  announced  in  the  New  York 
Gazette  of  August  6th,  as  follows: 

"Last  week  in  the  Ship  John,  from  Newry,  Ireland,  Luke 
Kiersted,  master,  there  arrived  about  three  hundred  passengers, 
a  hundred  and  forty  of  whom,  together  with  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Clarke,  embarked  on  the  30th  ult.,  with  their  stores,  farming 
and  manufacturing  utensils,  in  two  sloops,  for  Albany,  from 
whence  they  are  to  proceed  to  the  lands  near  Lake  George, 
which  were  lately  surveyed  for  their  accommodation,  as  their 
principal  view  is  to  carry  on  the  linen  and  hempen  manufacture 
to  which  they  were  all  brought  up." 

Not  all  of  the  group  of  settlers  embarked  on  the  journey  up 
the  Hudson.  During  their  brief  stay  of  two  days  in  New  York, 
a  few  of  the  members  were  induced  by  real  estate  agents  to  go 
to  the  South,  where  they  settled  at  Cedar  Springs  and  Long 
Cane  near  Abbeville,  South  Carolina. 

Dr.  Clark  and  his  congregation  are  said  to  be  the  only  eccle- 
siastical body  that  came  to  America  as  an  entirety,  pastor,  ruling 


Somonauk  Church 

elders,  and  communicants,  with  no  break  in  their  religious 
services.  They  landed  at  Stillwater,  near  Albany,  and  as  their 
original  objective,  the  lands  near  Lake  George,  proved  unsat- 
isfactory, they  remained  there  only  until  further  arrangements 
could  be  made  for  their  permanent  settlement.  For  this  purpose 
Dr.  Clark  purchased  an  undivided  half  of  the  land,  known  as 
the  Turner  Patent,  which  the  legislature  of  New  York  had 
granted,  August  7,  1764,  to  Alexander  Turner  and  twenty- 
four  other  citizens  of  Pelham,  Massachusetts.  Of  this  land, 
originally  containing  twenty-five  thousand  acres,  nearly  all  of 
which  was  in  what  is  today  the  township  of  Salem,  Washing- 
ton County,  New  York,  the  grantees  immediately  conveyed 
twelve  thousand  acres  to  Oliver  Delancey  and  Peter  Dubois, 
who  sold  it  to  Dr.  Clark  September  30,  1765.  The  Turner 
Patent  was  divided  into  three  hundred  and  four  lots  of  eighty- 
eight  acres  each  and  was  distributed  by  lot  between  the  New 
England  settlers  from  Pelham  and  Dr.  Clark's  colonists,  in  the 
spring  of  1767,  free  of  rent  for  five  years,  after  which  time  a 
yearly  rental  of  one  shilling  per  acre  was  to  be  paid. 

The  country  was  then  an  unbroken  wilderness  without  roads. 
The  only  means  of  travel  was  on  foot  or  horseback.  The  men 
of  Dr.  Clark's  colony  cleared  the  ground,  put  in  crops  and  built 
cabins,  and  in  the  spring  of  1767  the  congregation,  with  the 
exception  of  two  or  three  families,  removed  to  Salem.  Dr. 
Clark  preached  the  first  sermon  in  Washington  County  in  the 
cabin  of  James  Turner  in  Salem.  Mary  McNaughton,  later 
the  mother  of  Chief  Justice  Savage,  walked  seven  miles,  stop- 
ping on  the  way  for  her  sister,  Mrs.  Eleanor  Livingston,  to 
attend  this  service. 

These  groups  of  colonists  possessed  a  strong  common  bond 
in  their  allegiance  to  the  Presbyterian  Church.  This  feeling 
was  intensified  by  the  fact  that  many  of  these  families  had  been 
related  before  coming  to  America,  and  in  the  passage  of  years 
through  inter-marriage  the  ties  of  kinship  had  become  even 

closer. 

4 


The  Immigrants 

The  outbreak  of  the  American  war  for  independence  found 
a  goodly  number  of  men  of  the  community  ready  and  willing 
to  take  up  arms  in  the  cause  of  liberty.  Only  here  and  there 
among  the  later  comers  was  a  Loyalist  who  found  it  impossible 
to  throw  off  allegiance  to  the  British  Crown. 

With  the  coming  of  peace  and  independence,  the  little  com- 
munity had  found  a  certain  prosperity  and  comfort  on  their 
arid  farms  or  in  the  villages  which  marked  the  boundaries  of 
their  settlement.  They  had,  however,  lost  nothing  of  their 
austerity  of  life,  stern  purpose  and  steadfast  Christian  faith 
by  their  migration  to  America  nor  by  their  subsequent  freedom 
from  Britain. 

The  church  was  still  the  center  not  only  of  their  religious 
life  but  of  their  social  life  as  well.  Here  they  attended  two 
services  on  Sabbaths  and  on  week-days  found  relief  from  toil 
in  attendance  at  catechizing  or  weekly  lecture.  On  Sacrament 
Day  the  young  men  took  their  sweethearts  in  an  "elegant  horse 
and  wagon  looking  very  smart,"  as  an  early  letter  records. 
Later,  if  all  went  well  with  true  love,  it  was  on  Sabbath  Day 
at  meeting  that  the  newly  wedded  pair  made  their  first  public 
appearance.  Perhaps  the  very  marriage  itself  had  taken  place 
one  Sabbath  "after  meeting."  But  even  on  such  an  occasion  the 
bride's  cake  was  not  omitted  from  the  celebration.  Occasions 
more  secular  also  took  place  in  the  meeting  house.  When  a 
singing-master  chanced  that  way  all  the  young  folk  came  to 
singing  school,  and  if  the  sleigh  turned  over  in  the  deep  snow- 
drifts, so  much  the  merrier  was  the  evening. 

Second  only  to  the  church  was  the  schoolhouse.  Here  were 
studied  grammar,  philosophy,  spelling,  Latin  grammar  and 
Virgil.  When  Examination  Day  came,  the  minister  himself 
condescended  to  attend  and  from  the  platform  questioned  the 
pupils.  Then  was  the  simple  one-room  building  made  gay  with 
greens  from  the  neighboring  hills,  "little  twigs  of  hemlock 
fixed   together  like   evergreen   hung   down    the   curtains   and 


Somonauk  Church 

branches  round  all  the  windows."  Against  this  setting  the  young 
girls  read  their  essays,  their  subjects,  "Our  Creator,"  "Selfish- 
ness," "Education,"  and  "The  Shortness  of  Life,"  reflecting 
the  trend  of  thought  about  them. 

Now  and  then  murmurs  of  the  outside  world  crept  in, 
despite  parental  vigilance.  "Mary  Dunlap  (who  had  gone  to 
Princeton)  is  almost  perfectly  happy,"  sighs  her  envious  girl 
friend,  "she  is  a  Sabbath  School  teacher,  Tract  Distributor  and 
enjoys  the  advantages  of  the  best  society." 

The  Fourth  of  July  was  the  great  patriotic  day  of  the  year. 
After  the  parade,  the  temperance  society  served  a  dinner  on 
"six  long  tables,  each  seating  sixty  people,  set  out  very  tasty 
and  in  nice  style.  There  was  more  present  than  at  the  fair," 
the  correspondent  exults.  Later  the  company  adjourned  to  the 
"bower  which  was  better,  than  the  church"  where  "the  choir 
sang  beautiful  cold  water  songs."  Here  William  Russell  read 
the  Revolutionary  address  and  one  Pritett,  of  Union  Village, 
"gave  a  short  address  unprepared.  There  was  the  greatest  huzza- 
ine  ever  I  heard." 


MAP  OF 

mil 

€  OUNTY 

.Scale  %of  (Me  fnch  to  I  he  M.i '< 


H 


Lake  or  L 


akeville  in  Greenwich  Towns/iif  is  now  Cossayw 


The  Pioneer 

Not  far  from  the  center  of  the  Argyle  community, 
on  a  farm  at  Cossayuna,  lived  George  Beveridge  and  his 
wife,  Ann  Hoy.  Lakeville  is  the  early  name  of  this  village. 
Their  white  clapboarded  house,  looking  toward  the  mountain, 
held  their  family  of  seven  children  surrounded  by  homely 
comfort. 

The  family  joined  fully  in  the  community  life.  The  chil- 
dren attended  the  district  school  and  completed  a  term  or  two 
at  the  academy  at  Cambridge. 

"My  parents,"  says  their  son,  John  L.  Beveridge,  "were 
members  of  the  Associate  Church,  a  factor  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian Church.  They  sang  Watt's  Metric  Version  of  the 
Psalms  and  had  no  affiliation  with  other  denominations.  They 
were  rigid  in  their  religious  views.  They  detested  the  Catholics 
and  had  little  use  for  other  sects.  My  mother,  however,  thought 
there  were  good  Christians  in  the  Catholic  and  other  churches. 

"My  parents  were  members  of  the  South  Argyle  Church, 
located  in  Argyle  about  two  and  a  half  miles  west.  Two  services 
were  held  each  Sabbath,  and  all  the  family  except  one,  attended, 
riding  in  the  farm  wagon  and  taking  a  lunch.  The  children 
memorized  Psalms,  verses  and  chapters  of  the  Bible,  and  the 
shorter  Catechism.  The  latter  was  repeated  every  Sabbath  eve- 
ning. Blessing  was  asked  and  thanks  returned  at  every  meal. 
Family  worship  was  observed  night  and  morning.  Children 
may  have  deemed  such  discipline  severe,  but  it  made  for  good 
citizenship." 

While  the  Beveridges  brought  up  their  children  to  be  God- 
fearing citizens,  they  at  the  same  time  had  come  to  a  realiza- 
tion that  after  a  century  of  settlement  Washington  County 
was  no  longer  the  land  of  opportunity.  They  viewed  the  future 

7 


Somonauk  Church 

of  their  children  with  growing  apprehension.  Times  were 
hard.  Andrew  Jackson,  having  wrecked  the  United  States 
banks,  left  behind  him  a  country  swept  by  the  results  of 
financial  panic,  which  Martin  Van  Buren,  then  President  of 
the  United  States,  had  not  succeeded  in  stemming.  In  Wash- 
ington County,  with  its  narrow  margin  between  comfort  and 
poverty,  wise  parents,  such  as  were  the  Beveridges,  knew  that 
unoccupied  lands  had  become  few  and  expensive.  They  fore- 
saw for  their  sons  a  loss  of  the  independence  which  they  them- 
selves had  enjoyed  and  a  future  which  offered  nothing  but  a 
bare  living.  In  this  crisis  they  turned  their  thoughts  to  the 
new  world  beyond  the  Alleghanies. 

Since  the  beginning  of  the  century  the  peoples  of  the  eastern 
states,  more  especially  New  England,  had  migrated  in  in- 
creasing numbers  to  the  Western  Reserve  and  even  farther  to 
the  wilderness  beyond.  However,  to  the  conservative  Scotch- 
Americans  of  the  Argyle  Patent  lands  the  call  of  the  West 
had  been  unheeded.  Now,  however,  their  children's  need 
turned  their  thoughts  to  the  prairies. 

Mrs.  George  Beveridge  was  a  woman  of  unusual  ability, 
of  rare  judgment  and  vision.  By  means  of  arguments  we  can- 
not now  know,  she  persuaded  her  husband  to  undertake  the 
long  journey  to  the  West  to  "  spy  out  the  land."  Strangely 
enough,  it  was  the  middle-aged  father  and  fourteen  year  old 
John  L.  Beveridge,  not  the  eldest  son,  well  merged  in  early 
manhood,  upon  whom  this  adventurous  duty  devolved. 

At  length  one  autumn  day  in  1838  George  Beveridge  set 
forth  on  his  inland  voyage  of  discovery.  A  pair  of  stout  horses 
drew  his  wagon,  wherein  was  loaded  a  stock  of  woolen  cloth 
manufactured  in  a  new  mill  in  which  he  had  an  interest.  With 
this  stock  he  proposed  not  only  to  finance  his  expedition  but  to 
create  a  market  for  the  product  of  the  mill. 

In  leisurely  fashion  he  crossed  the  state  of  New  York,  and 
passed  through  the  well-settled  farming  region  of  Ohio  and 

8 


The  Pioneer 

less-peopled  Indiana.  Then  rounding  the  end  of  Lake  Michigan 
he  arrived  at  the  struggling  little  city  of  Chicago.  It  was  a 
journey  of  a  thousand  miles,  and  yet  George  Beveridge  had 
not  found  the  place  where  he  cared  to  settle. 

With  his  face  still  toward  the  west,  he  left  the  world  he 
knew  behind  him,  passed  into  the  broad  stretches  of  the  valley 
of  the  Mississippi,  and  took  the  newly-opened  stage  road  lead- 
ing by  way  of  Dixon's  Ferry  toward  the  lead  mines  of  Galena. 

Some  sixty  miles  to  the  west  of  Chicago  he  came  to  the 
rolling  prairie  lying  between  the  Fox  and  the  Rock  rivers. 
It  was  a  land  which,  before  the  Black  Hawk  War  of  1832, 
had  been  Indian  country  and  in  consequence  had  not  long 
been  open  to  settlers.  The  land  was  fertile,  with  streams  bor- 
dered on  either  side  with  timber  promising  wood  for  fire  and 
building.  The  many  little  creeks  stood  ready  to  provide  water 
until  wells  could  be  dug. 

One  October  evening  George  Beveridge  came  to  the  ford 
on  Somonauk  Creek.  On  the  northern  grassy  bank  stood  a  log 
cabin.  The  stage  road  ran  before  its  door.  The  cabin  had  been 
built  by  a  trapper  in  1834  and  was  the  first  white  man's  house 
in  De  Kalb  County.  It  had  been  used  as  a  station  on  the  mail 
route  to  Galena  for  a  few  months  and  afterward  abandoned. 
During  the  winter  it  had  been  inhabited  by  another  trapper 
named  Robinson.  The  following  summer  the  cabin  was  kept 
as  an  inn  by  a  man  named  James  Root.  Still  later  it  had  been 
taken  over  by  the  present  owner,  John  Eastabrooks,  who  con- 
tinued to  serve  as  innkeeper  on  the  western  trail.  Eastabrooks 
at  the  same  time  made  squatter's  rights  to  the  land  on  both 
sides  of  the  Somonauk,  thus  obtaining  sufficient  timber  land 
and  a  large  tract  of  fine  level  prairie.  Before  long  a  son-in-law 
of  Eastabrooks  built  a  second  cabin  joining  the  east  side  of 
the  original  house  and  in  time  the  two  cabins  were  connected 
by  a  hallway.  In  consequence  it  was  double  the  size  of  the 
usual  cabin  of  the  time  and  place  and,  although  it  was  now 


Somonauk  Church 

some  eight  years  old  and  had  been  used  as  an  inn  under  various 
landlords,  it  still  possessed  advantages  that  could  not  be  dis- 
regarded. 

Before  George  Beveridge  slept  that  night  he  had  exchanged 
what  remained  of  his  stock  of  woolen  cloth,  together  with  his 
wagon  and  horses,  for  the  log  cabin  on  the  brink  of  the  ford 
at  Somonauk  Creek  with  squatter's  right  to  four  hundred  acres 
lying  on  either  side  of  the  stream.  After  making  this  purchase 
Mr.  Beveridge  remained  for  about  a  year  on  his  claim  and 
endeavored  to  make  the  house  as  presentable  and  comfortable 
for  his  family  as  the  possibilities  of  the  isolated  country  would 
allow.  He  turned  his  face  homeward  in  the  late  summer  or 
autumn  of  1839.  The  return  journey  was  made  by  stage  to 
Chicago,  then  by  boat  through  the  Great  Lakes  to  Buffalo 
thence  by  Erie  Canal  to  Albany  and  so  by  way  of  Greenwich 
to  the  farm  home  in  Cossayuna. 

Once  more  at  home,  the  traveler  related  to  family,  kinsfolk 
and  neighbors  the  story  of  the  journey  and  the  prospects  and 
advantages  of  the  western  country.  It  was  not,  however,  until 
the  spring  of  1842  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Beveridge  fin- 
ished preparations  for  the  journey  to  the  new  home.  The  re- 
moval of  a  large  family  with  such  household  stuffs  and  stock 
as  it  was  possible  to  take  with  them  was  a  difficult  undertaking 
in  the  early  '40s.  , 

There  is  something  valiant,  courageous,  in  the  picture  oi 
this  middle-aged  pair,  planning  to  break  with  all  the  traditions 
of  life  as  they  knew  it,  to  leave  their  comfortable  house  and  a 
lifetime's  associations  to  set  out  for  a  new  country,  a  veritable 
wilderness  to  their  eyes,  and  begin  anew  as  pioneers  at  a  time 
of  life  when  they  might  have  thought  only  of  rest  and  surcease 

from  labor.  - 

Finally  all  was  in  readiness  and  in  the  month  of  May,  I84-Z, 
the  Beveridge  family  set  out  upon  their  pilgrimage.  The  party 
consisted  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Beveridge  and  four  of  their 

10 


The  Pioneer 

unmarried  children,  James  Hoy,  who  was  twenty-five  years 
of  age,  Thomas  George,  twenty-two,  John  Lourie,  eighteen, 
and  their  youngest  daughter,  Agnes,  who  was  but  thirteen. 
An  older  daughter,  Isabel,  and  her  husband,  William  French, 
were  also  of  the  party.  Jennett,  the  eldest  child,  who  was  the 
wife  of  James  Henry,  was  left  behind,  as  was  also  the  second 
son,  Andrew,  who  was  destined  for  the  ministry,  and  was 
about  to  enter  Jefferson  College  at  Canonsburg,  Pennsylvania. 
TheBeveridges  chose  to  make  use  of  the  canal  and  Great 
Lakes  route  and  so  made  the  journey  in  seventeen  days.  By  so 
doing  they  missed  some  of  the  experiences  recorded  by  many  a 
pioneer  who  traveled  by  covered  wagon. 


11 


Reminiscences  of  John  L.  Beveridge 

,irrHE  day  we  reached  Somonauk,"  writes  John  L.  Beveridge 
1  in  his  reminiscences,  "it  rained  very  hard  all  day— 
the  mud  was  deep  and  black.  The  roof  leaked  and  the  house 
was  wet  and  damp.  The  new  home  did  not  look  very  inviting. 
My  mother  was  a  brave  and  proud  woman.  I  found  her  next 
morning  in  the  leanto,  crying  as  if  her  very  heart  was  broken. 
As  she  cried,  she  said  she  could  never  live  here.  She  had  come 
from  the  land  where  she  was  born  and  where  she  had  lived 
fifty-four  years  with  a  life's  friendships,  to  a  new  land  to 
dwell  among  strangers,  from  a  comfortable  home  where  she 
had  raised  her  family,  into  a  poor  log  house  on  the  frontier  ol 

civilization.  .       ... 

"  It  is  no  wonder  she  was  homesick,  thejnost  distressing  ill- 
ness afflicting  the  human  body  and  heart." 

Three  years  later  she  returned  to  the  scenes  of  her  child- 
hood and  former  home,  to  the  friends  she  had  known  and 
loved  so  long,  and  after  a  visit  of  three  months,  strange  to 
say,  she  was  glad  to  return  to  her  log  house,  and  she  never 
regretted  the  change  in  her  life. 

"  The  first  summer  in  Illinois  I  even  longed  for  the  old 
house,"  Governor  Beveridge  continues,  "  and  the  associations  of 
my  whole  life,  my  playmates  and  my  schoolmates.  It  seemed 
as  if  I  never  could  become  reconciled  to  the  change. 

"  The  house,  built  of  rough  logs,  chinked  and  daubed  with 
clay,  with  puncheon  floors  and  shale  roof,  consisted  of  five 
rooms,  an  attic  and  a  leanto.  It  stood  on  the  north  bank  of  the 
creek,  the  highway  between  the  two. 

"The  west  room  was  the  granary.  The  next  room  with  a 
fireplace  and  a  mud  and  stick  chimney  and  two  small  windows, 
was  the  sitting  room,  dining  room  and  bedroom  of  my  parents. 

12 


Reminiscences  of  John  L.  Beveridge 

Through  the  middle  of  the  house  was  the  entry  way,  with  one 
door  south  opening  to  the  road,  one  door  west,  into  the  sitting 
room,  one  door  north  to  the  backyard,  well  and  leanto,  and 
one  door  east  to  the  parlor.  It  had  one  small  window  and  in 
this  was  the  cooking  stove.  The  room  to  the  east  was  the  parlor, 
with  an  oblong  window,  two  beds  hid  by  curtains  which  the 
girls  and  company  occupied,  and  a  ladder  leading  to  a  low 
attic.  Up  there  the  men  and  boys  slept,  with  rain  drops  in 
summer  and  snowflakes  in  winter  enlivening  sleep. 

"  The  east  room  had  been  used  as  a  bar  or  public  room. 
The  former  owner  kept  a  country  inn  and  the  necessity  of  the 
times  compelled  my  parents  to  entertain  travelers. 

"  A  daily  stage  ran  by  the  door  each  way  between  Chicago 
and  Dixon,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  ten  miles.  In  winter 
season  two  days  were  required  for  the  trip,  the  stage  stopping 
overnight  at  Little  Rock,  six  miles  east  of  Spmonauk.  *  *  * 
I  have  driven  two  yoke  of  oxen  out  on  the  prairie  west  to  haul 
the  stage  stuck  in  the  mud.  The  stage  was  run  by  Frink, 
Walker,  and  Sanger. 

"  Travelers  had  no  other  choice  but  to  stop  overnight  in 
the  log  house.  They  were  served  with  good  meals  and  had 
good  clean  beds  —  lodgings,  meals,  and  horses  fed  and  stabled, 
all  for  seventy-five  cents." 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  French  settled  on  a  tract  of  land, 
part  timber,  part  prairie,  adjoining  the  Beveridges  on  the  south 
and  built  a  house  half  a  mile  farther  down  the  creek. 

The  first  settlers  sought  tracts  containing  the  best  high  and 
dry  land  they  could  find  in  the  vicinity.  The  low  land  was 
thought  valueless  at  that  time,  as  indeed  it  was,  for  immediate 
tillage.  The  water  stood  in  many  places  the  year  round.  In  the 
spring,  the  water  filled  the  ponds  and  covered  many  depres- 
sions, so  the  people  were  of  the  belief  that  the  low,  wet  land 
would  never  be  tillable,  but  might  be  utilized  to  some  extent 
for  grazing  purposes  and  from  which  to  cut  prairie  hay  late 

13 


Somonauk  Church 

in  the  season.  This  hay  was  quite  nutritious,  but  not  equal  to 
tame  grass  later  grown.  No  one  yet  dreamed  of  under  drain- 

ing. 

Although  postage  was  costly  in  the  early  '40s,  the  stamp 
for  a  single  sheet  of  writing-paper  costing  twenty-five  cents, 
letters  were  written  to  friends  left  behind  in  Washington 
County.  One  or  two  letters  written  in  reply  to  Agnes  Beveridge 
by  Eleanor  Pratt  serve  to  show  how  great  was  the  interest  and 
curiosity  excited  in  the  old  home  by  the  experiences  of  the 
Beveridges  in  Somonauk. 

"Tell  me  whether  you  have  cherries,  plums  and  straw- 
berries, black  caps  or  what  kind  of  berries  you  have?  "  she 
asks,  in  the  first  letter.  Later  she  exclaims,  "  How  queer  it 
would  look  to  see  wagons  drawn  by  oxen!  I  would  think  it 
would  be  a  long  time  before  you  would  get  used  to  the  log 
houses  and  horned  horses  of  the  West." 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Beveridge  and  their  children  were 
the  first  of  many  pioneers  coming  to  Somonauk  from  Wash- 
ington County.  Other  families,  more  or  less  related  to  them, 
joined  them  within  a  year  or  two.  There  seems  to  have  been 
a  certain  feeling  of  consternation  and  desolation  among  those 
left  in  the  older  community  as  they  saw  house  after  house 
occupied  by  strange  residents.  As  early  as  March,  1843,  young 
Eleanor  Pratt  wrote  to  Agnes  Beveridge:  "There  is  more 
going  away.  What  shall  we  do?  " 

These  later  comers  settled  on  farms  scattered  over  a  wide 
area  with  the  Beveridge  log  house  as  a  center. 


14 


Somonauk's  Pioneer  Days 

The  pioneers  of  Somonauk,  with  a  tradition  of  life  in 
which  the  church  held  the  foremost  place,  could  not  rest 
long  without  the  religious  services  for  which  their  souls 
hungered. 

Through  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  of  the  Associate 
Presbyterian  Church  they  secured  a  minister  to  meet  their  need. 
The  first  service  was  held  in  the  Beveridge  log  cabin.  The 
church  record  says:  "  In  August,  1842,  the  Rev.  James  Tem- 
pleton,  visited  the  few  of  God's  people  here,  and  preached 
one  Sabbath."  This  is  the  first  recorded  religious  service  of  the 
Presbyterians  in  the  county. 

The  following  autumn  a  Rev.  Mr.  Smith  preached  one 
Sabbath.  In  the  early  winter  the  Rev.  George  Vincent  preached 
on  two  occasions.  In  1843  the  Rev.  R.  Pollock  was  sent  by 
the  Home  Missions  Board  and  held  service  three  Sabbaths. 
During  his  stay  he  surveyed  the  field  and  visited  the  people  in 
their  homes.  Later,  the  Rev.  Isaac  Law  served  the  little  flock 
for  three  Sabbaths,  and  from  time  to  time  other  ministers  came, 
among  them  the  Rev.  Rensselaer  W.  French. 

Sabbath  morning  families  had  to  be  up  with  the  sun  to  get 
to  church  in  time.  The  yoke  of  oxen  was  hitched  to  a  lumber 
wagon,  the  family  loaded  in  and  the  driver  "gee-hawed"  them 
to  church  at  the  rate  of  two  or  three  miles  an  hour.  The  con- 
dition of  the  roads,  or  rather  trails,  had  much  to  do  with  the 
rate  of  speed.  In  the  spring,  or  other  wet  times,  the  mud  was 
terrific,  but  this  was  considered  a  poor  excuse  for  not  going  to 
church.  A  pioneer  describing  some  of  the  conditions  in  the 
early  and  middle  '40s  remarked  with  enthusiasm,  "  Why,  not 
a  horse  came  to  church  —  they  were  all  oxen." 

15 


Somonauk  Church 

As  frequently  as  this  sturdy  people  could  obtain  a  minister 
to  supply  them  with  preaching,  they  did,  but  these  ministerial 
visits  were  often  at  wide  intervals.  Between  times  the  families 
would  convene  at  the  Beveridge  log  cabin  on  the  Lord's  Day 
and  conduct  a  Sabbath  School  and  what  was  termed  a  "  Cot- 
tage Prayer  Meeting."  These  pioneers  had  need  of  all  the 
spiritual  help  their  church  afforded,  for  during  the  first  years 
life  presented  almost  insurmountable  difficulties.  On  one  oc- 
casion, it  is  related,  the  session  and  a  few  others  had  come  to- 
gether for  prayer  and  consultation.  It  was,  perhaps,  the  time 
of  the  most  discouraging  outlook.  Help  seemed  out  of  the  reach 
of  human  ability.  While  in  prayer,  some  one  sobbed,  and  soon 
all  were  weeping.  Weeping,  not  for  the  reason  the  Ancients 
wept  by  the  Rivers  of  Babylon,  who  wept  in  captivity  and  in 
punishment  because  they  had  despised  the  true  faith  and  turned 
to  idols;   these  people  wept  for  God's  Zion  at  Somonauk.  As 
they  wept  the  tears  washed  away  the  dust  of  doubt  and  fear 
from   their  spiritual   eyes,   and  they  pressed  on   with   a  new 
courage  bound  for  success.  To  Mrs.  George  Beveridge,  the 
community  and  the  little  church  owed  a  great  debt.  She  was 
always  optimistic  as  to  the  church  and  its  welfare,  and  it  is 
related  of  her  that  she  never  relaxed  for  a  moment  in  en- 
couraging the  officers  and  members  to  persevere. 

There  were  some  dark  days.  At  times  tears  flowed  freely; 
but  some  of  the  time  the  sun  was  shining.  Clouds  came  and 
passed  beyond,  not  forgotten,  but  accepted;  therefore  they  had 
the  true  sunshine  of  life  —  resignation  to  the  will  of  God. 
Meanwhile  they  continued  with  cheerful  self-denial  to  build 
their  two  homes  —  a  family  home  and  a  church  home.  Cour- 
age and  faith,  coupled  with  perseverance,  were  their  anvil  and 
the  hammer  that  pounded  out  success. 

The  new  prairie  land,  with  its  beautiful  contour,  was  pos- 
sessed of  most  fertile  soil  and  veiled  in  myriads  of  beautiful 
sweet-scented  flowers.  Yet,  in  the  first  years  of  its  settlement, 

16 


Somonauk's  Pioneer  Days 

the  sanitary  conditions  were  not  wholly  favorable  to  the  good 
health  of  the  white  man.  Especially  in  the  latter  half  of  sum- 
mer and  early  autumn,  the  ponds  were  stagnant  and  emitted 
an  unpleasant  odor  which  at  that  time  was  thought  to  cause 
malaria  and  fever  and  ague.  Not  a  few  of  the  settlers  were 
afflicted  with  ague,  a  very  weakening  malady.  Others  fell 
victims  to  typhoid  fever,  largely  due,  no  doubt,  to  the  drinking- 
water  from  the  first  shallow  wells,  dug  in  low  places  and  sup- 
plied more  or  less  with  surface  water.  The  ponds,  simmering 
in  the  warm  sunshine,  were  incubators  for  hatching  swarms 
of  mosquitoes. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  hear  that  so  many  of  your  Somonauk  people 
are  sick,"  wrote  Eleanor  Pratt.  "I  am  afraid  it  is  a  sickly 
place."  But  her  sense  of  justice  bids  her  add,  after  reciting  a 
list  of  old  neighbors  who  have  died  and  who  are  sick,  "  You 
see  it  is  as  sickly  here  as  with  you." 

Mr.  Miller,  who  visited  the  Beveridges  in  1844,  and  who 
seems  to  have  contracted  ague,  suffered  from  the  "  shakes  " 
long  after  leaving  the  West. 

The  settlers  sorely  needed  the  spiritual  joys  and  peace  of 
soul  bestowed  upon  them  through  the  Sabbath  service.  In  every 
phase  of  their  daily  work  there  were  strong  barriers  to  over- 
come. Even  the  sod  of  ages  resisted  civilization.  It  took  several 
yoke  of  oxen  to  draw  a  sixteen-inch  plow.  Five  yoke  hitched 
to  a  plow  were  needed  to  turn  a  twenty-two-inch  furrow.  But 
the  energy  of  man  was  destined  to  subdue  the  wilderness. 

One  man  drove  the  oxen  and  guided  them  by  the  words 
"  gee  "  and  "  haw,"  and  by  the  swing  of  his  long  whip-lash. 
The  hands  of  another  man  guided  the  plow,  while  its  keen- 
edged  share  cut  its  way  amid  the  muffled  roar  of  snapping 
roots  as  it  rolled  over  the  tough  surface.  Then  the  sod  was  left 
to  lie  for  many  months  to  decompose  and  become  mellow  under 
the  rays  of  the  sun,  so  that  the  next  year  it  might  bear  a  new 
type  of  growth  —  wheat. 

17 


Somonauk  Church 


Farmers,  weak  in  equipment,  were  compelled  to  unite  their 
forces  to  secure  sufficient  power  to  break  their  land.  The  faith- 
ful oxen  cropped  the  grass  for  their  living,  for,  in  the  main, 
grain  for  animal  food  was  out  of  the  question  until  it  could 
be  sufficiently  grown  on  the  farm,  and  the  stock  during  the 
winters  subsisted  on  prairie  hay. 


18 


Land  Troubles 

The  Somonauk  settlers  held  their  land  insecurely,  having 
only  squatter's  rights  to  their  claims.  De  Kalb  County,  to- 
gether with  a  large  tract  of  land  in  northern  Illinois,  in  fact 
all  land  between  the  old  Indian  Boundary  lines,  had  been  open 
to  settlers  since  1816,  but  it  was  not  until  the  close  of  the 
Black  Hawk  War,  when  the  Indians  began  to  move  to  the 
west  of  the  Mississippi  River,  that  settlement  was  practical. 
Consequently  the  land  had  not  been  surveyed  and  the  govern- 
ment agents  spent  four  long  years  in  doing  the  work. 

Finally,  in  1843,  the  region  about  Somonauk  was  put  on 
the  market  to  be  sold  at  the  government  price  of  $1.25  an 
acre.  The  settlers,  as  soon  as  they  could  collect  the  necessary 
money  to  buy  their  claims,  hurried  to  the  Land  Office  in  Chi- 
cago. Many  of  them  went  on  foot,  for  walking  proved  a 
swifter  means  of  travel  than  the  slow-moving  ox  team.  A  few 
efforts  were  made  to  "  jump  "  claims.  But  the  better  class  of 
citizens  were  in  the  majority  and  they  managed  to  force  the 
thieves,  as  they  were  considered,  to  relinquish  the  government 
patents  they  had  secured  to  the  rightful  owner,  the  settler  who 
already  lived  on  the  land.  At  the  same  time  they  also  restored 
the  price  which  they  had  paid  to  the  "  jumpers." 

Two  cases  of  this  kind  were  attempted  in  connection  with 
the  purchase  of  land  to  the  east  of  Freeland  Corners.  Mr.  J.  M. 
Hummel,  although  he  was  but  a  small  boy  at  the  time,  well 
remembers  the  incidents.  In  one  case  the  "claim  jumper" 
was  advised  by  the  settlers  to  leave  the  country  for  his  own 
personal  benefit,  which  he  accordingly  did.  In  the  other  case 
a  man  with  grown  sons  jumped  the  improved  claim  of  a  neigh- 
bor who  had  several  small  children.  When  a  posse  of  citizens, 
bent  on  securing  fair  play,  waited  on  the  "  jumper,"  he  bar- 
ricaded his  door  and  threatened  a  gun  fight.  After  some  parley 

19 


Somonauk  Church 

he  changed  his  mind  and  sent  out  a  flag  of  truce  with  his  terms 
of  surrender,  which  were,  that  he  would  give  up  the  patent 
for  the  land  in  question  in  return  for  the  price  he  had  paid 
for  it  and  that  he  would  give  the  neighbor  a  reasonable  time 
to  raise  the  money;  in  return,  he  was  not  to  be  run  out  of  the  .. 
country.  These  terms  were  accepted  and  all  went  well.  Mr. 
Hummel  says,  "  These  stirring  events  of  justice  were  indelibly 
stamped  on  my  memory  and  can  never  be  forgotten." 

There  were  a  few  timber  claims  whose  occupants,  being  too 
poor  to  pay  cash,  gave  them  up  to  friends  who  were  able  to 
"  enter  "  and  hold  them  until  the  rightful  owners  were  able 

to  pay. 

These  just  and  hardy  men  surely  did  well  to  protect  each 
other  against  the  covetous  intruder  who  sought  to  fill  his  own 
purse  at  the  expense  of  the  self -sacrifice  and  hard  labor  of  the 
original  settlers  who  were  striving  to  make  homes  for  their 
families.  The  purchase  of  the  land  drained  the  country  of 
nearly  every  dollar  and  left  the  people  very  poor  in  money 
with  which  to  buy  necessities.  But  they  owned  their  homes  and 
were  glad.  Those  who  went  to  the  frontier  to  grow  up  with 
the  country  quickly  learned  to  know  the  realities  of  hard  times. 
The  circulating  medium  was  not  adjusted  as  yet.  A  good  deal 
of  exchanging  or  trading  was  done  to  keep  the  wolf  from  the 
door.  At  times  it  seemed  an  almost  impossible  task  to  support 
a  family,  a  school  and  a  church. 

Reviewing  the  old  records  of  those  early  days,  one  will  note 
with  interest  their  liberal  contributions  to  missions  in  com- 
parison with  their  meager  incomes.  Not  only  were  they  desirous 
that  others  might  have  what  was  nearest  and  dearest  to  their 
own  souls,  but  they  "  gave  until  it  hurt  "  to  materialize  this 
desire.  True  to  the  promise,  the  Bountiful  Giver  restored  to 
these  pioneers  "  good  measure  —  pressed  down,  and  running 
over."  Nor  is  this  excellent  quality  of  liberality  deficient  in 
their  descendants;  it  continues  in  the  blood. 

20 


^Rfpw- 

/   „yjp 

ts£    1 

■  it'    lH   ■§ 

ii  *  * 

rfsV  \llii 

n*  {" » 

?fl 

, 

it 

-:l 

Somonauk   United  Presbyterian  Church 


Patten  Mausoleum,  Oak  Mound  Cemetery 


Entrance  to  Oak  Mound  Cemetery,  Somonauk 


Land  Troubles 

Privation,  overwork  and  the  ravages  of  fever  claimed  some 
of  the  early  settlers  and  it  was  necessary  to  select  a  burial-place 
for  the  Somonauk  community.  A  tract  was  chosen  on  the  bank 
of  the  Somonauk,  covered  with  oak  trees,  and  now  known  as 
Oak  Mound  Cemetery.  The  first  recorded  burial,  that  of 
Edwin  Burchim,  took  place  in  1842;  that  of  Rhoda 
Fay,  who  was  born  in  1773,  in  1844.  But  Oak  Mound 
had  been  used  as  a  burial-place  in  still  earlier  times. 
When  digging  to  erect  the  fence  which  now  encloses  the 
cemetery,  the  bones  of  a  tall  white  man  were  found,  which 
are  believed  to  be  those  of  a  soldier  who  had  died  while  on 
duty  during  the  Black  Hawk  War.  Other  unmarked  graves 
have  been  found  recently  which  point  to  the  use  of  Oak  Mound 
Cemetery  as  a  place  of  burial  some  years  before  the  Beveridges 
came  to  Somonauk.  Although  it  had  been  in  use  for  several 
years,  it  was  not  until  May  3,  1847,  that  Oak  Mound  was 
made  the  recognized  cemetery  of  Somonauk,  at  which  time  it 
was  surveyed  and  platted. 


21 


Church  Records 

Touring  the  four  years  which  ensued  after  the  first  Sabbath 
U  service  at  the  home  of  the  Beveridges  the  congregation  had 
been  only  a  mission  under  the  guidance  of  the  Home  Melons 
Board  of  the  Associate  Church,  later  the  United  Presbyterians. 
Now  the  community  found  itself  sufficiently  strong  and  sell- 
reliant  to  organize  a  separate  church. 

It  was  on  March  18,  1846,  that  twenty  men  and  women, 
probably  the  entire  adult  population  of  the  settlement,  for  no 
one  would  absent  himself  from  so  important  an  occasion,  as- 
sembled in  the  parlor  of  the  house  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George 
Beveridge.  In  consequence,  the  little  log  cabin  by  the  ford  on 
Somonauk  Creek  was  actually  the  first  church  budding  of  the 
Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  Session  Book  records  that:  "  The  associate  congregation 
of  Somonauk  was  organized  by  the  Rev.  R.  W.  French  on  the 
18th  day  of  March,  1846,  in  the  house  of  Mr.  George  Bever- 
idge  Messrs.  D.  M.  Dobbin  and  William  Patten  were  elected 
ruling  elders.  At  the  same  time  and  place  a  call  was  made  out 
by   the   Associate   congregation   of    Somonauk    for   one-half 
the  time  of  the  Rev.  R.  H.  Pollock  in  connection  with  the 
Associate  congregation,  Granville,  Putnam  Co.,  Illinois   The 
following  named  persons  on  presentation  of  their  certificates 
and  in  view  of  satisfactory  testimony  where  no  certificate  was 
presented,  were  organized  as  members  and  allowed  to  vote  in 
the  election  of  ruling  elders  and  choice  of  a  minister  to  fill 
the  blanks  in  the  call  then  made  out,  viz.  (1)  Dr.  John  Shank- 
land,    (2)    Mrs.   Howison,    (3)    Mrs.   Telford,    (4)    John 
Walker,  (5)  Jonathan  French,  (6)  Ann  French,  (7)  Sarah 
French     (8)   William   Patten,    (9)    Elizabeth   Patten,    (10) 
Nancy  Walker,  (11)  George  Beveridge,  (12)  Ann  Beveridge, 

22 


Rev.  Rensselaer  W.  French,  First  Pastor,  1849-1859 


Church  Records 

(13)  Isabel  French,  (14)  Mary  Patten,  (15)  James  Walker, 
(16)  Isabel  Robertson,  (17)  William  Robertson,  (18)  Mary 
Dobbin,  (19)  Alexander  French,  (20)  David  Miller  Dobbin, 
were  after  examination  with  a  view  to  their  admission  as  mem- 
bers of  the  church  allowed  to  vote  in  the  election  of  Elders 
and  in  the  choice  of  a  member  to  fill  the  blank  in  the  call.,, 
The  original  record  probably  was  written  on  odd  sheets  of 
paper  of  which  there  may  not  have  been  a  plentiful  supply  in 
the  frontier  settlement.  Some  years  later,  in  1857,  the  session 
authorized  Elder  Elijah  Stewart  to  purchase  a  book  and 
copy  the  minutes  into  it.  Elijah  Stewart  was  at  that  date  clerk 
of  the  Session  and  his  copy  of  the  original  record  has  been  the 
basis  of  the  Story  of  Somonauk  Church.  It  is  probable  that  a 
few  mistakes  were  made  in  copying  dates,  which  would  ac- 
count for  its  occasional  lack  of  harmony  with  the  calendar. 

This  list  of  Charter  Members  might  be  called  the  official 
record  of  the  families  who  had  come  at  this  date  from  Wash- 
ington County  to  settle  in  Somonauk.  In  addition  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  George  Beveridge  and  their  daughter  Isabel,  the  wife 
of  William  French,  were  Jonathan  and  Ann  Edgar  French, 
parents  of  William  French,  and  their  other  children,  Sarah 
and  Mary  Jane,  who  was  the  wife  of  David  Miller  Dobbin, 
one  of  the  first  two  elders,  and  another  son,  Alexander  French. 

William  Patten  came  in  1843.  His  wife  and  his  mother, 
with  his  brothers  Robert  and  Alexander  and  his  sister  Martha, 
came  to  join  him  in  1844. 

David  Miller  Dobbin,  the  elder,  whose  wife  was  Mary 
Jane  French,  was  a  cousin  of  Ann  Dobbin  Telford.  Another 
charter  member  was  Margaret  Brown  Howison,  who  was  the 
wife  of  George  Howison.  Their  children,  William,  Alex- 
ander, Robert,  James  and  Eliza,  wife  of  Alexander  White, 
joined  the  church  at  a  later  date.  James  Walker  and  his  son 
John,  with  his  wife,  Nancy  Walls,  are  found  upon  the  list, 
as  also  were  William  Robertson  and  his  wife,  Isabel  Wil- 
liamson. 

23 


Somonauk  Church 

Dr.  John  Shankland  is  the  only  one  of  the  original  members 
of  the  church  whose  later  life  is  not  known.  It  is  said  that  he 
came  to  Somonauk  from  Michigan.  With  his  family  he  re- 
turned to  Battle  Creek,  Michigan,  and  since  that  time  all  trace 
of  him  has  been  lost. 

Dr.  Shankland's  brother  James  preached  his  trial  sermon  in 
the  South  Argyle  church  about  eighty  years  ago  at  this  time 
(1927).  Margaret  Shankland,  who  was  a  correspondent  of 
Elizabeth  Pratt  Patten's,  was  married  about  that  time.  In  the 
cemetery  of  the  South  Argyle  church  are  the  graves  of  Dr. 
Shankland's  parents  and  of  Elizabeth  Shankland.  The  inscrip- 
tions read:  t 

"John  Shankland,  born  in  Sangour,  Scotland,  in  1774;  died 

April  18,  1821,  in  his  51st  year." 

"Jannet,  wife  of  John  Shankland,  died  Dec.  19,  1863,  ae. 

80  years." 

"Elizabeth  Shankland,  died  January  3,  1852." 
At  the  meeting  at  which  the  church  was  organized,  March 
18,  1846,  the  Rev.  Rensselaer  W.  French  moderated  a  call 
for  the  Rev.  R.  H.  Pollock  to  give  one-half  time  to  the  new 
church  in  connection  with  his  charge  at  Granville,  Putnam 
County,  Illinois.  Subsequently  Mr.  Pollock  gave  the  church 
notice  he  could  not  accept  the  call.  No  further  efforts  were 
made  to  secure  a  pastor  until  the  next  year,  when  on  March 
29,  1847,  on  application  by  the  congregation,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
French  was  again  sent  by  the  Presbytery  to  moderate  in  a  call 
for  the  Rev.  William  Osburn.  The  Sabbath  previous,^ the  28th, 
Mr.  French  dispensed  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
assisted  by  the  Rev.  William  Osburn.  At  this  communion  the 
first  members  united  after  the  organization  of  the  church. 
They  were:  Robert  Patten,  Alexander  R.  Patten,  Agnes  Bev- 
eridge,  and  Daniel  Boyd,  all  by  profession  of  faith. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Osburn  did  not  accept  the  call  tendered  him 
but  he  served  the  congregation  at  Somonauk,  part  time,  from 

24 


Church  Records 

May,  1847,  to  April,  1849.  Meanwhile,  the  Rev.  R.  W. 
French  made  several  trips  from  his  charge  in  Mercer  County, 
across  the  virgin  country  on  horseback  to  serve  the  Somonauk 
people,  as  directed  by  the  Presbytery. 

During  the  winter  of  1848  and  1849  William  Patten, 
having  ascertained  that  Mr.  French  was  about  to  sever  his  con- 
nection with  the  church  in  Mercer  County,  wrote  to  him  to 
ask  if  he  would  consider  a  call  to  become  the  pastor  of 
Somonauk  church.  Receiving  an  encouraging  response,  the 
membership  also  acquiescing,  Mr.  French,  in  concurrence  with 
the  action  of  the  Presbytery,  accepted;  and  with  small  delay 
removed  to  Somonauk. 

On  the  first  Sabbath  of  his  pastorate,  May  27,  1849,  the 
Lord's  Supper  was  dispensed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  French,  assisted 
by  the  Rev.  William  Osburn.  At  this  time  the  following  named 
persons  were  admitted  into  the  church  by  certificate:  "Joseph 
Thompson,  a  ruling  elder  from  the  Associate  Church  in  Put- 
nam, Washington  County,  New  York;  James  McAllister  and 
his  wife,  Jane  McAllister,  and  their  daughter,  Mary  McAl- 
lister, from  South  Washington,  Morrow  County,  Ohio,  and 
Mrs.  N.  P.  French.  Mrs.  Jennett  Henry,  who  had  come  from 
the  East,  on  a  visit  to  her  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George 
Beveridge,  also  was  admitted  to  the  communion.  The  fol- 
lowing named  persons  were  admitted  to  the  privileges  of  the 
church  by  examination  and  profession:  James  H.  Beveridge, 
James  French  and  Eliza  Howison.  Twenty-eight  persons 
joined  in  this  celebration  of  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per. Mr.  James  Walker  was  absent  on  account  of  sickness." 

From  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  church,  in  1 846, 
to  the  arrival  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  French  to  oversee  the  flock, 
three  of  the  charter  members  had  died.  These  were:  Ann 
Edgar  French,  and  her  husband,  Jonathan  French,  and  Mary 
Jane  Dobbin,  wife  of  Elder  David  Miller  Dobbin.  Dr.  John 
Shankiand,  who  had  moved  from  the  community,  had  been 
dismissed  by  letter. 

25 


The  Pastorate  of  Mr.  French 

AN  unpublished  sketch  of  the  life  of  the  Reverend  Rens- 
.  selaer  W.  French,  written  by  his  son  Albert  C.  French, 
gives  a  vivid  picture  of  the  life  at  Somonauk  at  the  time  of  the 
arrival  of  the  first  minister: 

"The  removal  to  Somonauk  was  probably  brought  about  by 
several  considerations.  The  people  at  Somonauk  were  attractive 
in  character,  and  came  from  New  York  State,  mostly  from 
the  vicinity  of  Cambridge  where  his  (Dr.  French's)  grand- 
father, Jonathan  French,  had  lived  and  where  his  father  was 
born  There  may  have  been  some  Ohio  people  also  at  Somonauk, 
there  certainly  were  at  a  later  period  and  altogether,  Father 
and  Mother  French  would  feel  quite  at  home  with  the  Somo- 
nauk people. 

"Railroads  from  the  East  to  Chicago  were  going  to  shorten 
the  time  and  distance  to  the  old  home  in  Ohio  and  instead  of 
two  tedious  weeks  around  by  the  river  route,  it  would  be  only 
a  couple  of  days  or  so,  and  this  appealed  to  Mother  French. 
Finally  Mother  had  received  several  hundred  dollars  from 
her  folks  at  home  and  they  thought  that  by  selling  their  forty 
acres  at  North  Henderson  they  would  be  able  to  purchase  a 
quarter  section  at  Somonauk  where  land  was  still  low  in  price. 
We  must  remember  that  migration  to  the  West  had  followed 
the  river  routes  and  values  were  still  almost  at  government 

Pn"Thus  irrespective  of  the  matter  of  salary  their  material 
prospects  would  be  improved  and  both  Father  and  Mother 
were  self  reliant  and  all  his  life  the  matter  of  salary  was  of 
secondary  consideration  with  Father.  I  think  the  most  he  ever 
received 'in  his  life  was  under  four  hundred  dollars.  Also  he 

26 


The  Pastorate  of  Mr.  French 

never  received  help  from  the  church  boards.  At  Somonauk  he 
was  able  to  purchase  a  land  warrant  from  a  Mexican  War 
veteran  for  $360  for  a  piece  of  prairie  of  170  acres. 

"Alexander  French,  of  Somonauk,  a  second  cousin,  seems 
to  have  moved  their  goods  across  the  country  for  them,  about 
one  hundred  and  forty  miles,  for  $16.50.  This  was  in  the 
latter  part  of  May,   1849. 

"There  must  have  been  two  wagon  loads  of  such  things 
as  they  had,  together  with  five  passengers  and  the  driver.  We 
can  tell  almost  what  they  had  to  move.  There  was  a  four- 
poster  bedstead  made  of  cherry  wood  with  holes  in  the  tops 
of  the  posts  to  receive  supports  for  a  canopy  which  was  neces- 
sary in  a  one-room  log  cabin;  a  big  cherry  bureau,  a  cherry  stand 
in  which  Mother  kept  her  love  letters  before  she  was  married, 
and  on  which  Father  used  to  write  his  sermons  afterwards. 
Six  substantially  made  chairs  with  a  rocker,  and  a  child's  rocker, 
painted  a  bright  green  with  gilt  stripes. 

"There  would  be  homespun  bedding,  an  honest  goose- 
feather  bed  in  a  linen  homespun  tick,  but  no  stove  of  any 
sort.  They  did  not  have  them,  in  those  days  in  log  cabins.  They 
had  "cranes,"  to  hang  the  kettles  on  and  swing  over  the  fire 
in  a  fireplace. 

"It  must  have  taken  them  at  least  four  days  to  make  the 
trip  from  North  Henderson  to  Somonauk.  It  would  be  across 
the  prairies. 

"In  the  summer  the  unbroken  prairies  were  not  without 
their  charm.  This  was  almost  the  first  of  June,  a  time  when 
the  prairies  were  ablaze  with  flowers.  The  summer  prairie  made 
a  picture  in  my  mind  which  I  can  never  forget,  and  which 
few  now  living  would  be  able  to  visualize.  It  was  God's  un- 
tarnished fields  of  glory  which  he  had  planted  ages  ago,  and 
which  it  has  taken  man  such  a  short  while  to  obliterate.  Delicate 
and  distinctive  odors  from  these  unspoiled  plains  with  their 
thousands  of  flowers,  every  one  perfuming  the  soft  breezes... 

27 


Somonauk  Church 

In  those  early  days  spring  came  dancing  along  much  sooner 
than  it  seems  to  come  now. 

"When  they  arrived  at  Somonauk  there  was  no  house  ready 
to  receive  them.  But  <  Uncle  George  '  Beveridge  and  'Aunt ' 
Ann  took  them  in  as  if  it  was  a  matter  of  course.  It  seems  to 
me  that  in  every  congregation  which  I  have  ever  known  there 
is  always  a  couple  of  kindly,   generous  minded  people  who 
simply  abound  in  good  works.  No  ostentation  nor  effusive  kind- 
ness, but  just  an  observing  mind  which  slips  into  the  duty  as 
though  they  had  been  expecting  it  to  come  along  and  were 
ready  for  it.  Such  people  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Beveridge. 
"George  Beveridge  lived  just  across  the  creek  from  where 
Somonauk  church  now  stands.  His  house  was  a  long  structure 
of  perhaps  a  little  more  than  the  usual  cabin  dimensions  because 
it  had  been  used  as  an  inn  or  traveler's  stopping  place.  It  was 
crumbling  down  when  I  was  old  enough  to  observe  it,  but  the 
old  well  was  still  in  service,  and  between  sermons  on  Sabbath 
I  remember  that  the  church   folk  used  to  stream  down  the 
church  green  and  over  the  bridge  to  that  well  to  get  a  drink 
whether  they  were  thirsty  or  not,  just  a  chance  for  a  young 
man  to  escort  his  sweetheart  to  the  old  well  and  give  her  a 
drink.  That  was  mostly  in  the  summer  and  was  something 
which  I  came  to  regard  as  quite  essential  to  a  proper  church 
service.    I   have   often   wondered   how   that   ceremonial    was 
brought  to  a  close. 

"Somonauk  church,  which  practically  represents  the  con- 
2rep;ational  center,  is  five  miles  north  of  the  village  of  Somo- 
nauk, which  is  on  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  Railway.  The  church  is  just 
south  of  Somonauk  Creek  at  that  point,  and  five  roads  meet 
in  the  adjacent  space  near  the  church.  Father's  new  farm 
followed  the  south  side  of  the  creek  at  an  angle  to  the  north- 
west for  perhaps  forty  rods  to  what  is  now  Oak  Mound  Cem- 
etery, and  then  branched  due  west  on  the  half-section  line.  This 
angling  road  always  confused  my  sense  of  direction  in  the 

28 


The  Pastorate  of  Mr.  French 

neighborhood  of  the  church  and  I  cannot  be  sure  to  this  day 
which  way  that  old  church  faced. 

"Father  was  now  about  thirty-five  years  of  age  and  on 
Sabbath,  May  27,  1849,  he  began  the  duties  of  pastor  of  the 
congregation  which  he  organized  in  1846,  preaching  two  ser- 
mons as  the  custom  was,  the  first  a  lecture  from  John  XVI:  8, 
the  afternoon  service  from  Jeremiah  VIII,  last  verse.  He  adds 
"  Dull  "  to  both  services  in  his  notation. 

"No  doubt  it  was  ?  warm  day  in  early  summer.  We  may 
suppose  that  the  little  congregation  probably  met  in  Mr.  Bev- 
eridge's  house,  for  there  was  no  church  building  until  three 
years  later.  Or  perhaps  it  was  in  the  schoolhouse  about  half 
a  mile  east  of  Mr.  Beveridge's  house  where  they  met  after- 
wards until  the  church  was  built.  Some  condition  contributed  to 
Father  French's  depression  that  evening,  a  very  unusual  thing 
for  him,  for  in  his  notation  for  that  day  he  wrote,  'I  was  much 
cast  down  in  spirit.'  If  he  could  have  looked  forward  into  the 
years  to  see  the  splendid  record  which  that  little  congregation 
was  to  make,  how  different  would  his  feelings  have  been. 
However,  there  were  no  more  melancholy  reflections  recorded 
in  his  notes  and  so  we  may  conclude  that  his  depression  passed 
away  to  come  back  no  more. 

"They  did  not  long  remain  as  guests  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Beveridge.  An  empty  log  cabin  stood  on  the  north  side  of  that 
angling  road  a  short  distance  west  of  the  church  before  we 
reach  the  present  cemetery  and  Father  and  his  little  family 
moved  into  it.  I  used  as  a  child  to  have  an  unreasoning  prej- 
udice against  this  old  log  building,  not  knowing  that  it  had 
sheltered  our  folk  for  a  time.  It  disappeared  long  ago  and  they 
remained  in  it  no  longer  than  the  time  it  took  Father  to  build 
a  house  of  his  own  on  his  farm  two  miles  to  the  west.  In  those 
days  a  pastorate  was  not  usually  regarded  as  the  temporary 
affair  that  it  is  apt  to  be  now.  So  Father  French  proceeded  as 
if  he  was  to  remain  there  permanently.  A  house  had  to  be  built 

29 


Somonauk  Church 

on  the  land  he  had  purchased.  The  members  assisted  him  in 
this.  Lumber  was  hauled,  much  of  it  from  Chicago,  sixty 
miles,  during  the  summer.  In  the  winter  a  well  was  dug. 
During  that  summer  of  1849  he  put  up  prairie  hay  with  the 
help  of  members,  hiring  sometimes  George  Beveridge's  ox 
team,  and  sometimes  another  member's  team  at  fifty  cents  a 

day. 

"When  he  moved  out  of  that  log  house  by  the  creek  he 
moved  for  the  first  time  in  his  life  into  a  frame  house.  For 
two  hundred  years  and  more  his  ancestors  in  America,  and 
finally  himself,  had  lived  in  log  houses.  He  was  born  in  one, 
reared  in  another,  went  to  school  in  a  log  schoolhouse,  was 
married  in  a  log  house  and  was  thirty-six  years  old  before  he 
ever  lived  in  any  other  sort. 

"I  suppose  that  during  that  summer  he  would  find  a  way 
to  break  up  some  of  that  prairie  land  and  plant  some  sod  corn 
which  is  often  quite  good,  and  so  have  corn  to  feed  a  horse  or 
a  team  if  he  became  able  to  get  one.  Then  in  the  fall  of  1850 
we  find  him  hauling  wheat  to  Chicago  and  hauling  more  lum- 
ber out  — a  trip  of  two  days  in,  and  two  days  out,  leaving 
two  days  of  the  week  in  which  to  prepare  his  Sabbath  sermon. 
And  I  do  not  often  find  him  repeating  his  Somonauk  sermon 
at  Wheatland,  with  which  he  combined  his  work  at  Somonauk 

church. 

"The  Southwestern  Plank  Road  on  Ogden  Avenue  (out  of 
Chicago)  was  the  main  traveled  road  toward  Aurora  in  those 
days  and  I  have  often  wondered  whether  he  pulled  his  load  of 
lumber  up  Snake  Hill,  just  west  of  Downer's  Grove,  or  if  he 
had  some  other  road  he  used.  Some  of  the  long  hills  on  the 
route  must  have  been  pretty  tough  for  the  light  teams  they 
used  to  have.  Horses  used  to  weigh  about  ten  hundred  pounds 
in  those  days,  but  they  were  all  horse,  not  beef,  like  some  we 
have  today.  I  mention  all  these  things  to  show  how  self  reliant 
and  cheerful  Father  always  was. 

30 


The  Pastorate  of  Mr.  French 

"About  this  time  he  organized  the  Scotch  congregation  of 
Wheatland  and  as  he  only  gave  Somonauk  half  his  time  he 
supplied  Wheatland  the  other  half,  though  he  did  not  adhere 
to  that  plan  regularly.  From  July,  1849,  to  July,  1850,  we 
have  a  record  of  sixty  sermons  preached  at  Wheatland,  and  it 
is  not  a  complete  record,  as  it  was  not  until  about  1852  that 
the  congregation  at  Wheatland  was  able  to  have  a  settled  pastor. 
"As  I  said  before,  Father  was  supposed  to  give  only  half 
his  time  to  Somonauk,  and  Wheatland  received  most  of  the 
other     half,     though     Ross'     Grove,     ten     miles     west     of 
Somonauk,  had  some  of  his  time.  I  could  relate  incidents  of 
these   twenty-seven-mile  trips  to  Wheatland  if   it   were   not 
irrelevant,  but  I  will  say  that  they  were  not  pleasure  rides 
always,  for  he  in  all  his  pastoral  work  seemed  to  me  to  be  very 
faithful,  often  being  at  the  place  of  worship  when  the  weather 
was  so  inclement  that  only  a  very  few  faithful  like  himself 
attended  the  service,  and  riding  home  facing  a  northwest  wind 
with  the  thermometer  more  than  twenty  degrees  below  zero. 
"Mr.  French's  conveyance  was  his  horse  and  buggy,  unless 
there  was  much  snow  or  mud,  in  which  case  he  rode  on  horse- 
back.  Seemingly,  the  pastors  of  the  pioneers   feared   neither 
storms  nor  the  all  but  impassable  roads. 

"From  1849  to  1852  were  busy  but  uneventful  years.  The 
congregation  increased  in  membership  by  immigration  from 
Ohio  and  the  East.  They  were  almost  uniformly  American  in 
character  and  largely  of  Scotch  descent.  There  were  Bev- 
eridges,  Grahams,  Stewarts,  McBrides,  Boyds,  McClellans, 
McAllisters,  Howisons,  Kirkpatricks,  and  others,  all  of  which 
names  are  Scottish  in  origin.  Also  they  were  Associate  Pres- 
byterian in  their  church  attachments.  This  term  distinguished 
them  from  the  Associate  Reformed  Church.  These  two  Pres- 
byterian bodies  were  separated  by  minor  differences  which  it 
is  not  necessary  to  state,  but  which  seemed  to  the  two  denomina- 
tions as  very  vital  to  sound  religion.      *     *     *     * 

31 


Somonauk  Church 

"My  recollections  of  this  period  were  of  a  degree  of  com- 
fort which  I  know  Father  never  before  had  enjoyed.  I  know 
that  he  liked  his  parishioners,  had  gone  the  two  miles  to  church 
in  his  lumber  wagon,  and  in  stormy  weather  he  would  walk 
or  ride  horseback.   But  now  we   had  a  light  carry-all,   two 
seated,  built  buggy  fashion,  for  two  horses.  For  going  to  town 
or  on  pastoral  visitation  he   removed  the  back  seat,  and  on 
Friday  afternoon  in  the  summer  it  was  a  great  pleasure  to  me 
to  go  with  him  to  the  post  office,  four  miles  east  —  Freeland, 
it   was   called  — to   get   our   weekly    mail.    Our   ideas   have 
changed  since  the  time  when  we  were  contented  to  get  our 
mail  once  a  week.  We  received  the  Presbyterian  Witness,  the 
Advent  Herald,  the  Evangelical  Repository,  a  monthly,  and 
perhaps  some  secular  paper,  but  no  magazine  or  story  paper 
(Father  was  too  strict  for  fiction)  and  of  course  some  family 
correspondence. 

"Friday,  and  particularly  Saturday  was  his  'study  day,  when 
he  was  not  to  be  disturbed  in  his  room.  More  days  were  thus 
occupied  for  special  occasions.  ^ 

"We  lived  on  what  was  often  called  the  'Chicago-Dixon 
road;  it  was  not  absolutely  a  direct  road,  as  we  lived  south  of 
both  cities  and  even  Aurora,  but  so  it  was  called,  and  in  the 
'50s  the  gold  seekers  and  emigrants  to  the  West,  with  their 
white  covered  'Prairie  Schooners'  constantly  passed  that  way. 
There  was  a  bad  quarter  mile  of  low  ground  in  front  of  our 
farm,  and  the  narrow  pike  in  the  spring  of  the  year  became 
almost  impassable.  Many  times  I  have  seen  Father  French 
down  there  with  a  pole  or  spade  helping  some  unfortunate  out 
of  the  depths.  Loads  of  straw  dumped  in  the  worst  places 
quickly  sank  'without  a  trace.'     *     *     * 

"The  memories  of  that  period  are  chiefly  connected  with 
the  church  and  the  people.  The  solemn  observance  of  the  Sab- 
bath to  my  young  mind  was  a  difficult  problem.  It  seemed  easy 
and  natural  to  the  grown  people,  but  not  an  unmixed  delight 

32 


The  Pastorate  of  Mr.  French 

to  me.  In  the  summer  when  clean  clothes  and  shoes  and  stock- 
ings had  to  be  worn,  a  lesson  in  the  catechism  to  be  recited, 
and  a  long  sermon  to  be  listened  to  which  I  could  not  com- 
prehend, religious  duties  sat  pretty  heavily  on  my  constitution. 
It  did  not  take  long  for  shoes,  stockings  and  coat  to  come  off, 
once  we  started  for  home.  Church  was  apparently  no  place 
for  social  enjoyment.  All  were  most  decorous  and  grave  even 
in  the  church  yard,  and  the  devout  manner  of  the  good  people 
was  manifest  from  the  time  they  tied  their  horses  until  they 
started  for  home.  Inside  the  church  an  air  of  solemn  propriety 
seemed  to  permeate  the  atmosphere.  *  *  *  *  The  very 
pews  seemed  to  look  toward  the  pulpit  with  an  unwavering 
reverence.  The  masterful  but  earnest  dignity  of  my  Father  as 
he  rose  and  said,  'Let  us  begin  the  worship  of  God  by  singing 

a  part  of  the psalm/  was  something  which  put  distance 

between  us.  I  could  not  be  his  boy  until  church  was  over. 

"I  walked  up  to  our  pew  with  Mother  —  our  seat  was  about 
two-thirds  up  the  left  side  tier  of  seats  facing  the  pulpit.  I 
would  compose  myself  in  the  outside  end  of  our  seat,  where 
I  could  be  handy  to  receive  the  cooky  which  Mrs.  George  Bev- 
eridge,  across  the  aisle,  often  had  for  me,  or  else  some  of  the 
little  fine  rough  spiced  candy  which  she  would  have  every  now 
and  then.      *      *      *      * 

"The  Sabbath  at  church  was  almost  the  only  break  in  the 
daily  life  of  those  uneventful  times.  The  ceremonial  of  its 
public  service  was  weighted  with  solemnity.  The  measured 
stately  harmony  of  those  old  songs  of  praise  as  they  came  from 
the  full  congregation  of  reverent  worshipers  still  echoes 
through  the  heart  like  the  majestic  tones  of  the  evening  winds 
through  the  depth  of  the  forest." 

During  the  first  years  following  the  organization  of  the 
church,  services  were  still  held  in  the  home  of  George  Bever- 
idge.  The  family,  however,  was  large  and  the  log  cabin  was 
small.  So  not  long  after  the  arrival  of  Mr.  French  they  built 

33 


Somonauk  Church 

a  larger  house,  on  the  same  plat  of  ground  some  hundred  feet 
to  the  north.  The  material  was  drawn  from  Chicago  by  ox 
teams,  with  the  exception  of  some  of  the  frame  pieces,  which 
they  hewed  from  their  own  woods.  Although  the  thought  was 
not  expressed  in  words,  no  small  share  of  their  purpose  in  the 
new  house  lay  in  their  desire  to  provide  a  more  commodious 
place  for  public  worship.  The  second  story  was  left  in  one 
large'  room  for  several  years  and  was  always  open  for  religious 
services  —  in  fact,  for  all  meetings  touching  moral  questions, 
as  long  as  there  was  need. 

The  new  house  was  evidently  much  used  as  a  place  of  meet- 
ing, for  John  V.  Henry,  who  came  to  Somonauk  with  his 
parents  in  1853,  relates  that  "Grandfather's  .  .  .  new  house 
while  new  as  compared  to  the  log  cabin,  had  the  appearance 
to  me  of  having  been  built  several  years  before,  as  it  was  very 
much  weather-beaten,  and  the  porch  floor  and  steps  showed 
signs  of  much  wear." 

Not  long  previous  to  1849  a  small  schoolhouse  was  built. 
It  stood  just  north  of  the  trail  in  the  thick  woods,  a  half  mile 
east  of  the  home  of  George  Beveridge.  It  was  built  to  answer 
for  a  "meeting  house,"  as  well  as  for  a  day  school.  A  rostrum 
was  raised  about  eight  inches  across  a  part  of  the  south  end, 
just  the  width  of  the  door  being  taken  off  at  the  southwest 
corner.  Part  of  the  carpenter's  work-bench  was  used  for  the 
pulpit-stand;  two  legs  stood  on  the  floor,  the  other  two  legs, 
shortened,  stood  on  the  rostrum,  and  a  bench  was  the  seat. 
This  bench  accommodated  the  minister  on  the  Sabbath  and  the 
reciting  classes  in  the  day  school.  The  mischievous  little  boys 
were  often  made  to  sit  under  this  pulpit-stand  for  punishment, 
using  the  edge  of  the  rostrum  for  a  seat.  In  the  winter  term 
of  school  young  men  and  women  came  long  distances  from 
the  sparsely  settled  country,  even  to  four  and  five  miles.  James 
H.  Beveridge  taught  here  one  winter,  and  Agnes  Beveridge 
was   schoolmistress   through   one   summer.    Here   Lorenzo   J. 

34 


George  Bevendge  House,  Built  1851-2 

No-zv  Standing 


Dedication  of  Church   Tablet,  September  5,   192 


The  Pastorate  of  Mr.  French 

Lamson,  afterward  one  of  the  members  of  Lamson  Bros.  &  Co. 
of  the  Chicago  Board  of  Trade,  went  to  school  with  Agnes 
Beveridge  and  the  next  year  attended  as  her  pupil.  The  grand- 
father of  Dr.  Arthur  Lord,  of  Piano,  Illinois,  who  served 
overseas  in  the  World  War  as  a  surgeon,  taught  in  this  school 
in  the  winter  of  1850  and  1851. 

This  school  house  was  moved  across  the  creek  a  few  years 
later,  to  a  site  south  of  the  road,  nearly  opposite  the  William 
G.  Beveridge  homestead,  on  land  donated  for  the  purpose  by 
George  Beveridge,  later  owned  by  a  son,  Thomas  Beveridge, 
William's  father.  It  was  used  for  a  church  and  a  school  as 
before,  until  the  first  meeting  house  was  built  on  the  plot  of 
ground  that  the  present  church  occupies.  A  part,  however,  of 
the  church  services  were  still  held  in  the  large  upper  room  of 
the  Beveridge  home. 

A  vivid  memory  of  those  early  Sabbath  services  remains 
with  those  who  attended  them,  "of  pastor  French,  a  tall, 
reverential  looking  man,  expounding  the  word  of  God  to  his 
little  flock  of  God-fearing  and  trusting  men  and  women, 
leading  them  to  the  throne  of  grace  in  a  confidential,  rev- 
erential voice  which  impressed  us  children  that  God  was  near 
for  the  minister  was  talking  to  Him." 

The  chorister,  Daniel  Boyd,  a  young  man  a  trifle  under 
medium  height,  sat  on  the  platform,  too.  He  would  stand  to 
lead  the  praise  service  in  his  slightly  quavering  voice.  All  the 
congregation  joined  in  singing  the  psalms  of  David  to  the 
sacred  old  tunes,  "  Ortonville,"  "  Mere,"  "  Dundee,"  "  Peter- 
borough," "  Colesville,"  "  Bangor,"  and  a  few  others,  long 
years  before  authorized  by  the  church  officials  as  appropriate 
to  use  when  singing  praises  to  God. 


35 


M 


Commerce  of  the  Prairies 

■ean while  the  every-day  life  of  the  Somonauk  settlers 
_  remained  difficult  and  full  of  hardship.  Although  the 
rich  prairie  lands  produced  crops  almost  miraculous  in  the  eyes 
of  men  accustomed  to  the  meager  yield  of  the  hillside  farms 
of  eastern  New  York,  little  actual  money  could  be  secured 
because  of  the  difficulty  in  marketing  the  wheat. 

The  trip  to  Chicago  was  long  and  laborious.  Thirty  to  forty 
bushels  of  wheat  was  a  good-sized  load  to  haul  on  the  soft 
trail  and  through  the  fords  of  the  unbridged  streams,  with 
two  yoke  of  oxen  hitched  to  the  wagon.  The  wagons  were 
crude  affairs.  A  pioneer  of  the  early  '40s  remembers  seeing 
home-made  wagons  pass  by  from  the  Rock  River  country  on 
the  way  to  Chicago.  The  wheels  were  sawed  from  trees  from 
two  and  a  half  to  three  feet  in  diameter.  The  wheel  was  at 
least  six  inches  wide  and  sawed  so  as  to  make  a  sort  of  hub 
with  a  hole  through  the  center  for  a  wooden  axle  of  the  linch- 
pin type.  Frequent  stops  had  to  be  made  to  grease  these  hubs 
in  order  to  keep  the  wagon  in  use. 

John  L.  Beveridge  remembered  seeing,  in  his  boyhood,  set- 
tlers from  the  Rock  River  country  and  Mendota,  then  wild 
prairie,  haul  their  produce,  chiefly  wheat  and  pork,  to  Chicago 
for  market.  "  I  have  seen,"  he  records,  "  sixty  teams  at  night 
camp  on  the  creek.  They  would  travel  one  hundred  miles  or 
more  to  market,  be  absent  six  days,  and  the  only  money  out 
would  be  one  night's  lodgings,  supper  and  breakfast,  stable  and 
hay  for  teams  —  and  all  for  one  dollar  at  the  best  hotel  (in 
Chicago),  the  famous  Tremont  House.  They  couldn't  afford 
more.  Wheat  was  from  thirty-five  cents  to  fifty  cents  per 
bushel  and  dressed  pork  from  $1.50  to  $3.00  per  hundred 
weight.  After  purchasing  groceries  for  the  family  they  had 
very  little  change  left." 

36 


Commerce  of  the  Prairies 

John  V.  Henry  relates,  "I  remember  of  Grandfather 
(George  Beveridge)  telling  of  taking  a  load  of  wheat  to 
Chicago,  starting  Monday  morning  with  a  neighbor.  They 
could  not  go  alone  for  fear  of  being  '  stalled  '  and  needing 
assistance.  Arriving  home  on  Saturday  afternoon,  after  paying 
his  week's  expenses,  he  brought  home  a  broom,  a  one-half 
bushel  measure,  one  scoop  shovel  and  two  gallons  of  New 
Orleans  molasses  —  the  net  proceeds  of  one  load  of  wheat." 
On  another  trip  he  returned  with  a  barrel  of  salt.  On  the 
Galena  stage  road  it  was  not  unusual  to  see  a  farmer  returning 
after  hauling  wheat  to  the  lead  mines  with  a  small  lump  of 
lead  in  the  bottom  of  his  wagon  representing  the  entire'  pro- 
ceeds of  the  long  haul. 

These  incidents  were  the  common  experiences  of  the  large 
majority  of  the  first  settlers.  A  few  families  were  better  sit- 
uated, while  others  were  in  even  harder  circumstances.  All 
depended  on  how  well  they  were  able  to  equip  themselves  for 
their  difficult  task.  The  move  to  the  West,  however,  was  the 
best  business  stroke  these  men  and  women  could  have  made 
with  their  small  capital.  This  is  emphatically  true  of  all  who 
"  stuck  "  to  the  land.  After  a  decade  or  two  of  poverty  and  its 
hardships  they  were  repaid  for  their  trials  in  a  near  market, 
a  growing  wealth,  comfortable  homes,  self-made  independence, 
and  ease  for  declining  years. 

Of  the  young  men  who  drifted  in  from  year  to  year,  some 
entered  a  piece  of  land,  some  took  up  a  trade;  for  instance, 
that  of  a  carpenter,  for  whose  work  there  was  an  immediate 
demand,  as  the  first  thing  the  new  immigrant  must  have  was 
shelter.  Not  a  few  of  these  young  men  married  pioneers' 
daughters,  who  made  the  best  of  helpmeets. 

As  an  illustration,  the  children  of  Robert  Graham  often 
heard  him  relate  what  decided  him,  or  rather  forced  him,  to 
seek  a  home  in  the  new  West.  He  was  born  and  raised  on  a 
farm   in   Washington   County,   New  York,   and  was  one   of 

37 


Somonauk  Church 

eleven  children.  Not  owning  land,  he  thought  he  could  do 
better  than  to  farm  among  the  rocks,  so  he  learned  the  cooper's 
trade,  a  good  business  at  that  time.  Making  some  money,  he 
moved  in  1837  with  his  young  family  to  Ohio,  bought  a  house 
and  an  acre  of  land  in  a  village  near  the  present  city  of 
Columbus,  built  a  shop  and  went  to  work. 

He  did  well  for  some  years,  until  the  introduction  of 
machinery  monopolized  the  business.  Though  he  worked  night 
and  day,  trying  to  cope  with  water  and  steam  power,  the  little 
shop  run  by  man  power  alone  had  to  close. 

"  What  shall  I  do  now?  "  he  asked  himself.  So  one  day  he 
rather  timidly  asked  his  wife  if  she  were  willing  to  go  to 
Illinois  and  take  up  government  land.  She  promptly  replied 
that  she  was.  The  same  autumn,  1849,  he  bargained  with  the 
government  for  a  quarter  section  in  what  was  organized  three 
years  later  as  Victor  Township,  De  Kalb  County,  his  choice 
of   the   prairie   lying   about  three   miles  southwest   from   the 
George  Beveridge  home.  In  the  spring  of  1850  the  Grahams 
arrived  at  the  Somonauk  settlement,  after  a  fourteen-day  trip 
in   a   covered   wagon.   The   parents   at   once   united   with   the 
Somonauk  church.  Next  day  they  began  improving  their  new 
farm.  The  wiry  sod  had  to  be  broken  up  and  a  small  house 
built.  Mr.  Graham's  money  was  exhausted  before  the  house 
was  completed,  but  the  undaunted  family  moved  in  and  in  the 
years  following  finished  the  house  as  they  could.  The  wintry 
blasts   sifted   in,   sometimes   breezily,   but,   thanks   to   a   kind 
Providence,  the  inmates  kept  strong  and  healthy. 

About  the  year  1848  Alexander  R.  Patten  and  James  H. 
Beveridge,  both  prominent  among  the  younger  members  of 
Somonauk  church,  became  proprietors  of  the  general  store. 
It  stood  at  the  intersection  of  the  Chicago-Galena  highway 
and  the  road  running  north  from  Ottawa  to  Wisconsin,  and 
the  location  became  known  as  Somonauk  Corners.  It  was  a 
mile  and  a  half  to  the  east  of  Somonauk  church.  The  name  of 

38 


Commerce  of  the  Prairies 

the  post  office  was  changed  to  Freeland  Corners  in  1853  when 
the  C.  B.  &  Q.  Railroad  established  a  station  called  Somonauk, 
five  miles  south. 

This  store  must  have  been  a  great  convenience,  especially 
to  the  women  of  the  community,  to  whom  the  shops  of  Chicago 
were  plainly  inaccessible.  Here  eggs  and  other  produce  might 
be  exchanged  for  commodities.  The  proprietor  of  the  general 
store  was  usually  the  postmaster,  and  Alexander  Patten  was 
no  exception  to  the  rule.  The  general  store  formed  still  another 
social  center  for  the  community.  Here  the  farmers  gathered 
to  receive  their  infrequent  mail,  and  local  matters  were  dis- 
cussed as  well  as  affairs  of  state  and  nation.  Public  opinion  was 
nowhere  more  influenced  than  in  these  gatherings  at  the  gen- 
eral store.  In  the  course  of  a  year  or  more  Alexander  Patten 
became  the  sole  proprietor.  In  1851  he  brought  his  bride, 
Agnes  Beveridge,  to  the  crossroads  store  and  here  his  two 
oldest  sons,  James  and  George,  were  born. 


39 


T 


The  Gold  Fever 

he  discovery  of  gold  in  California  aroused  a  desire  for 
„  riches  in  people  in  all  walks  of  life.  It  swept  through  the 
country  like  a  pestilence  and  during  the  years  1849  and  1850 
the  roads  and  trails  to  the  great  West  were  crowded  with 
hurrying  trains  of  wagons  pressing  on  over  the  unexplored 
plains  to  the  gold  mines.  The  stage  road  passing  through 
Somonauk  was  alive  with  gold-seekers.  It  was  beyond  belief 
that  the  little  community  should  remain  untouched  by  the  gen- 
eral excitement.  Nor  was  this  the  case. 

On  March  12,  1850,  five  young  men  of  the  community, 
William  Patten,  James  Howison,  James  Walker,  James  Blair, 
and  Daniel  Hoag,  with  their  wagons  and  teams  of  horses, 
joined  the  caravan  moving  along  the  highway  to  the  west. 
Before  reaching  Council  Bluffs  their  train  was  augmented  to 
eighty  teams.  Early  in  April  the  trains  started  from  Council 
Bluffs  on  their  four  months'  journey  across  the  "  Great  Amer- 
ican Desert."  In  order  the  better  to  ward  off  attacks  from  the 
Indians,  the  party  now  drove  four  teams  abreast. 

On  the  first  Sabbath  morning  after  they  had  left  Council 
Bluffs  the  question  arose,  "  Shall  we  travel  seven  days  in  the 
week?  "  Some  said  "  Yes,  we  cannot  afford  to  lose  any  time." 
Others  said  "  No,  we  will  not  travel  on  the  Lord's  Day." 
Among  the  latter  group  were  the  five  young  men  from 
Somonauk  church.  In  consequence  of  this  difference  of  opinion 
the  train  divided.  Those  who  believed  in  one  day  of  rest  in 
seven  were  the  larger  group.  Meanwhile,  those  who  wished 
to  travel  seven  days  a  week  went  forward  without  rest. 

The  route  followed  by  both  parties  led  along  the  north  side 
of  North  Platte  River.  The  group  from  Somonauk  was  obliged 
to  turn  aside  at  the  Loupe  River  in  order  to  find  a  safe  fording- 

40 


The  Gold  Fever 

place.  Returning  to  the  North  Platte,  they  continued  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Sweetwater.  They  then  followed  the  latter  river 
until  they  came  to  the  spot  where  it  flows  through  the  South 
Pass  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Here  they  crossed  the  Great 
Divide.  Near  South  Pass  James  Walker  sickened  and  died. 
He  was  buried  at  Lone  Tree,  Wyoming. 

They  had  not  been  long  on  their  westward  journey  before 
they  overtook  the  group  who  had  determined  to  travel  seven 
days  in  the  week.  Having  taken  no  rest  for  themselves  or  their 
horses,  the  party  was  in  a  pitiful  condition.  They  had  lost  a 
large  number  of  their  horses,  and  in  consequence  much  of 
their  equipment  had  to  be  abandoned.  Of  course  the  strong 
party  assisted  the  weak  on  the  remainder  of  the  journey.  To 
conserve  their  horses'  strength  the  men  took  turns  riding, 
driving  and  walking.  The  heat  and  the  exertion  wearied  some 
of  them  to  exhaustion.  William  Patten,  being  wiry  and  a  good 
pedestrian,  gave  nearly  all  his  turns  to  ride  to  those  less  able 
to  walk  than  himself. 

The  "  sink  of  the  Humboldt  "  promised  to  be  the  greatest 
difficulty  to  be  overcome.  On  account  of  the  extreme  heat  of 
this  part  of  the  desert  they  were  obliged  to  cross  in  the  night. 
In  preparation  for  the  ordeal  they  rested  themselves  and  their 
horses  for  three  days.  Starting  at  four  in  the  afternoon,  after 
eighteen  hours  of  continuous  travel  they  succeeded  in  pushing 
their  teams  across  the  forty  miles  of  desert.  Although  the  night 
hours  were  hot  and  suffocating  enough,  they  escaped  the  un- 
bearable sun  rays  over  the  worst  part  of  the  "  sink  of  the  Hum- 
boldt." 

On  this  burning  desert  William  Patten  met  a  man  who 
offered  him  a  twenty-dollar  gold  piece  for  a  drink  of  water. 
The  man's  tongue  was  swollen  and  protruded  from  thirst.  As 
much  as  he  wanted  to  help  the  man  he  could  not,  as  they  had 
very  little  water,  scarcely  enough  for  their  own  sick.  All  were 
suffering  for  water.  A  supply  had  been  provided  for  man  and 

41 


Somonauk  Church 

beast  but  it  was  running  short  and  the  horses  must  be  supplied 
at  all  hazards  to  enable  them  to  pull  the  wagons. 

Many  were  the  vicissitudes  of  heat  and  cold  encountered 
on  the  way.  In  crossing  the  Sierra  Nevada  range,  the  snow  on 
either  side  of  the  beaten  track  was  as  high  as  the  horses'  backs. 
One  morning,  while  descending  the  range,  the  snow  was  still 
quite  deep,  but  at  noon  they  camped  to  feed  and  rest  in  a  valley 
of  luxuriant  grass  and  singing  birds. 

At  some  of  the  river  crossings  there  were  ferries  to  take 
them  across  at  the  price  of  one  dollar  per  wheel  —  four  dollars 
per  wagon.  On  account  of  the  quicksands  fording  was  very 
dangerous,  so  they  were  obliged  to  pay  the  price.  One  shallow 
river  was  crossed  by  overlaying  it  with  bundles  of  willows  cut 
beside  the  stream,  making  a  sort  of  bridge  to  keep  from  sinking 
in  the  miry  river  bottom.  At  this  crossing  they  lost  a  horse 
which  by  some  means  snagged  its  foot  on  a  sharp  willow, 
which  disabled  it  for  traveling. 

The  company  from  Somonauk  was  fortunate  in  escaping 
serious  trouble  with  the  Indians.  This  was  probably  due  to  the 
strength  of  the  party  and  of  their  mode  of  traveling.  Some  of 
the  caravans  were  not  so  fortunate. 

The  company  reached  Sacramento  August  2nd,  having  been 
five  months  on  the  way  and  having  covered  more  than  two 
thousand  miles.  The  day  after  their  arrival  those  who  had  suf- 
ficient strength  went  to  work  at  ten  dollars  a  day;  of  these 
William  Patten  was  one. 

After  nearly  a  year  and  a  half  spent  in  the  gold-fields  of 
California,  William  Patten  returned  home  by  way  of  the 
Isthmus  of  Panama.  From  the  Pacific  side  he  walked  to  the 
Chagres  River,  took  ship  for  New  York  City  and  came  to 
Cossayuna,  Washington  County,  New  York,  where  he  met 
his  wife  and  son  Edward.  He  reached  Somonauk  in  August, 
1851,  two  thousand  dollars  richer  in  gold  than  when  he  left 
home  eighteen  months  before;  a  good  fortune  in  those  days. 

42 


The  Gold  Fever 

Of  the  five  young  men  who  had  gone  to  the  gold-fields 
from  Somonauk,  only  William  Patten  and  James  Howi- 
son  returned.  James  Blair  and  Daniel  Hoag  had  died  while 
in  California,  and,  as  recorded  abov*,  James  Walker  was 
buried  in  South  Pass.  Several  letters  exchanged  by  William 
Patten  and  his  wife  during  their  long  separation,  printed  in 
the  Appendix,  throw  light  upon  the  characters  of  these  pio- 
neers. Others  from  the  community  went  to  the  West  at  dif- 
ferent times,  among  them  Alexander  Howison,  who  left  Somo- 
nauk in  1852  and  took  ship  around  the  Horn.  After  three 
years  and  a  half  he  returned  home  by  way  of  Aspinwall  and 
Panama.  » 


43 


w 


Rai/roads 

'ith  the  mid-century  came  an  event  which  gradually 
revolutionized  the  mode  of  life  on  the  prairies  and  which 
was  destined  to  bring  change  to  the  peaceful  little  settlement  on 
Somonauk  Creek.  The  highways,  with  their  covered  wagons 
and  ox-teams,  had  now  to  compete  with  a  power  which  could 
easily  outdistance  them. 

Just  before  January  1,  1849,  a  railroad  was  completed 
from  Chicago  to  Turner  Junction,  now  West  Chicago,  and 
opened  for  traffic.  In  December,  1849,  construction  was 
started  on  the  line  from  Turner  Junction  to  Aurora,  under 
the  name  "  Aurora  Branch  Railroad  Company."  This  line 
was  completed  and  opened  for  traffic  early  in  September,  1850. 
Two  years  later  the  line  from  Aurora  was  completed  as  far 
as  Mendota,  and  placed  in  operation  October  20,  1853. 

Somonauk  Station,  some  five  miles  south  of  the  settlement 
on  Somonauk  Creek,  the  first  stopping-place  of  the  railroad 
in  De  Kalb  County,  was  located  at  once.  The  present  town  of 
Sandwich  did  not  come  into  being  until  a  year  or  more  later, 
and  then  under  the  name  of  Newark  Station,  named  after  the 
settlement  of  that  name  to  the  south  in  Kendall  County,  which 
it  served.  In  the  course  of  time  the  name  was  changed  to 
Sandwich  in  honor  of  the  New  Hampshire  birthplace  of  the 
famous  "  Long  John  "  Wentworth,  who  at  the  time  repre- 
sented the  district  of  Northern  Illinois  in  Congress. 

In  connection  with  the  founding  of  Sandwich  it  is  related 
that  in  the  autumn  of  1853  William  Patten,  Washington 
Walker  and  Lindsay  Carr,  farmers  in  the  neighborhood,  called 
a  mass  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Newark,  then  a  lively  village 
six  miles  south,  where  a  committee  was  chosen  to  petition  the 
railroad  company  to  establish  a  station  for  their  accommoda- 


Railroads 

tion.  At  that  time  James  H.  Firman,  who  had  made  a  census 
of  the  families  who  would  probably  use  such  a  station,  reported 
one  hundred  and  fifty  possible  passengers  to  the  south  and  fifty 
to  the  north  of  the  railroad.  With  this  census  as  a  basis  the 
railroad  consented  to  stop  trains  when  flagged.  Meanwhile 
the  neighbors  contrived  to  have  everyone  who  could  raise  the 
necessary  funds  take  a  trip  as  frequently  as  possible.  In  con- 
sequence, the  railroad  ran  a  car  to  Newark  daily,  and  in  a 
few  months  was  induced  to  believe  that  Newark  station  was 
a  good  point  for  travel  and  it  was  made  a  regular  stopping- 
place. 

This  extension  of  the  railroad  was  built  under  the  name  of 
"  Chicago  and  Aurora  Railroad  Company,"  but  on  February 
21,  1855,  the  name  was  changed  to  "Chicago,  Burlington 
and  Quincy  Railroad  Company."  Tradition  says  that  the  first 
four  locomotives  used  on  this  line  were  named  "  South-wind," 
"  North-wind,"  "  East-wind  "  and  "  West-wind." 

John  McCleery,  eldest  son  of  James  McCleery,  gives  the 
following  graphic  description,  written  many  years  later,  of  the 
migration  of  his  father's  family  and  his  two  uncles,  Edward 
McCleery  and  John  McCleery,  all  with  large  families,  who 
moved  West  together: 

"In  October,  1851,  we  came  to  Illinois  from  where  we 
lived  in  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  to  Cleveland,  fifty  miles  north 
by  wagon.  We  took  the  steamboat  in  the  evening  to  Detroit, 
landing  there  by  daylight,  visited  relatives  there  one  day,  then 
took  the  railroad  and  crossed  Michigan  the  next  day  and  landed 
at  New  Buffalo  in  the  evening.  Stayed  over  one  day  and  took 
the  steamboat  in  the  evening  and  landed  at  Chicago  in  the 
morning."  This  involved  loading  and  unloading  their  convey- 
ance and  household  goods  nine  times. 

"  Father  wanted  to  come  to  a  place  by  the  name  of  Somo- 
nauk,  but  had  no  idea  where  it  was,  and  could  find  no  one  able 
to  enlighten  him.  So  we  struck  out  for  Elgin;  came  from  there 

45 


Somonauk  Church 

to  Sycamore  in  De  Kalb  County,  where  we  got  information  as 
to  the  whereabouts  of  Somonauk;  thence  south  over  the  open 
prairie.  We  all  got  lost  in  the  neighborhood  of  where  De  Kalb 
City  now  stands.  After  wandering  around  for  some  time  we 
came  in  sight  of  Squaw  Grove,  and  in  the  afternoon  passed 
near  the  site  where  Hinckley  now  stands.  Keeping  on  south 
we  passed  the  post  office  and  store  kept  by  Alexander  Patten 
and  David  Merritt,  and  we  stopped  overnight  at  the  Devine's 
Tavern.  The  next  morning  we  went  to  the  homes  of  William 
Patten  and  Robert  Patten  and  remained  there  a  few  days  until 
Father  bought  the  farm  now  called  the  Hoeponer  place,  about 
four  miles  north  of  the  city  of  Sandwich.  We  lived  there  one 
year,  and  then  we  removed  to  the  farm  on  the  prairie,  in  Vic- 
tor Township,  where  we  have  lived  ever  since.,, 

Meanwhile,  at  Somonauk  the  coming  of  the  railroad  had 
greatly  stimulated  settlement.  After  1853  the  prairies  swarmed 
with  land-seekers.  Not  many  all-prairie  farms  had  been  occu- 
pied before  1850,  and  these  late  immigrants  secured  the  more 
fertile  farms  of  the  region.  Many  of  these  later  settlers  came 
from  Washington  County,  New  York,  and  were  relatives  or 
friends  of  the  earlier  pioneers. 


46 


Later  Settlers 

Among  the  later  settlers  were  James  Henry  and  his  wife 
.  Jennett,  the  eldest  daughter  of  George  Beveridge,  and  his 
family.  In  a  letter  written  September   16,    1925,  one  of  his 
sons,  John  Vetch  Henry,  gives  his  memories  of  their  arrival: 
"  *   *   *   our  family  arrived  at  Somonauk  Station  in  April, 
1853,  on  the  Burlington  (Mendota,  then  the  terminus),  about 
10:00  a.  m.,  and  after  three  hours'  ride  up  the  State  Road, 
from  Buckingham's,  past  Alexander  R.  Patten's  farm,  Clark's^ 
Hamlin's,  Devine's  and  Lamson's,  nothing  but  a  sea  of  mud, 
axle  deep.  Approaching  Freeland  Corners  we  saw  Alexander  R. 
and  Agnes  Beveridge  Patten  on  the  store  platform  awaiting  our 
coming,  then  Uncle  Andrew's  (Beveridge)  family  were  all  at 
the  roadside  to  greet  us.  At  1 :00  p.  m.  we  reached  Grandfather's 
(George  Beveridge's)  place.  Uncle  Thomas  Beveridge  was  at 
the  gate  with  Aunt  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  Grandfather,  Grand- 
mother and  Aunt  Isabel  were  on  the  porch. 

"In  a  very  short  space  of  time  Brother  George  and  I 
(George  seven  and  I  nine  years  of  age)  were  climbing  over 
the  straw  stacks  in  the  yard,  bordering  on  the  woodland.  Hens' 
nests  and  hens'  eggs  galore!  Grandmother  told  us  that  the  eggs 
were  not  worth  much  and  we  could  have  all  we  gathered.  In 
a  short  time  we  had  twenty-five  dozen,  which  we  later  took  to 
Alexander  Patten's  store,  expecting  cash,  but  Uncle  Alex  did 
not  seem  to  want  them  at  all.  Finally  he  said  he  would  take 
them  at  two  cents  a  dozen  and  pay  us  in  trade,  to  which  we  con- 
sented and  took  candy." 

John  L.  Beveridge,  who  had  been  absent  from  Somonauk 
for  a  number  of  years,  returned  to  his  father's  home  about  this 
time.  He  writes:  "  In  my  absence  conditions  on  the  farm  had 
changed.  James  and  Thomas   (Beveridge)    for  several  years 

47 


Somonauk  Church 

jointly  worked  the  farm.  They  erected  a  two-story  frame  house 
with  ten  rooms  and  a  woodshed  attached.  This  house  is  still 
standing.  The  old  log  cabin  had  disappeared.  They  built  a  large 
barn  for  hay,  cereals,  and  stables  for  horses.  This  barn  and 
contents,  except  the  horses,  were  burned  before  our  return.  The 
old  log  stable  had  gone.  They  brought  more  prairie  under  cul- 
tivation, and  purchased  in  Thomas's  name  the  Frisbee  farm 
adjoining  on  the  west,  eighty  acres  or  more,  and  eighty  to 
one  hundred  acres  more  of  prairie  on  the  south  thereof.  These 
lands  are  still  owned  by  his  descendants. 

"  James  in  December,  1 849,  married  and  this  called  for  a 
separation  of  interests.  Father  (George  Beveridge)  conveyed 
to  James  about  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  the  north 
side  of  the  farm  lying  north  of  the  timber.  James  had  built  a 
small  house  thereon,  and  on  our  home-coming  was  living  there 
with  his  wife  and  child,  Gertrude."  Gertrude  is  said,  by  family 
tradition,  to  have  been  the  last  child  born  in  the  original  log 

cabin." 

James  and  Jennett  Henry  in  1887  celebrated  their  Golden 
Wedding  at  the  family  home  one  mile  north  of  Somonauk. 
Nearly  all  of  their  living  descendants  and  near  relatives  were 
present  at  this  gathering  of  the  clans,  therefore  the  photograph 
of  the  group  in  the  family  history  is  a  record  of  uncommon 
interest,  illustrative  of  the  strength  of  the  tie  that  binds  these 
families  together. 


48 


The  New  Church  Building 


s 


OON 


after  the  coming  of  the  railroad  Alexander  R.  Patten 
moved  to  Sandwich,  where  he  built  a  house  and  a  store, 
which  is  still  owned  by  his  son.  The  family,  however,  did  not 
sever  their  ties  with  the  Somonauk  church,  and  they  often  at- 
tended the  services  on  Sabbaths. 

It  was  in  1851  that  the  growing  church  in  Somonauk  felt 
the  need  of  more  room  to  accommodate  its  people,  so  in  1852 
the  first  steps  were  taken  toward  erecting  a  church  building:  At 
a  meeting  of  the  congregation  a  committee  was  appointed  and 
authorized  to  secure  a  two-acre  site,  and  a  pledge  from  the 
members  to  finance  the  undertaking.  "Uncle  George  Bever- 
idge,"  as  he  was  known  to  the  community  by  this  time,  donated 
the  two-acre  site.  Sufficient  funds  were  pledged  to  warrant  a 
building  thirty  by  forty  feet  on  the  foundation. 

It  took  time  to  build  safely,  but  to  the  joy  and  pride  of  the 
builders  the  house  of  worship  was  finally  far  enough  com- 
pleted to  be  occupied  for  service. 

The  old  church  record  states  that  the  building  was  not  used 
as  a  place  of  worship  until  some  time  in  1853,  and  further 
records :  "  The  Associate  Congregation  of  Somonauk  met  at 
the  meeting  house  agreeable  to  notice  given  by  the  request  of 
the  Trustees. 

"  Mr.  Elijah  Stewart  was  chosen  chairman.  The  Trustees 
were  instructed  to  put  two  windows  in  the  south  end  of  the 
house  for  better  light. 

It  was  voted  to  lath  and  plaster  between  the  studding. 

"  It  was  voted  to  appoint  a  committee  of  three  to  draft  a 
plan  for  finishing  the  house  and  a  plan  for  the  steps,  said  com- 
mittee to  give  the  amount  and  quality  of  each  kind  of  lumber 
and  cost  of  finishing.  Messrs.  Isaac  Kirkpatrick,  John  Walker 

49 


Somonauk  Church 

and  John  Boyd  were  chosen  said  committee.  Alexander  R. 
Patten  was  chosen  to  draft  a  subscription  paper  to  be  presented 
to  this  meeting. 

"The  above  being  handed  in,  it  was  read  and  accepted. 
Adjourned  sine  die,  Somonauk,  September  12,  1853.  T.  G. 
Beveridge,  Clerk." 

Six  months  later  the  record  states: 

"  At  the  annual  meeting,  January  2,  1854,  held  in  the  meet- 
ing house,  congregation  approved  of  the  course  of  the  Trustees, 
so  far  as  they  have  gone  with  the  work. 

"  On  motion,  Trustees  were  authorized  to  paint  the  house 
inside  and  outside  if  they  deemed  it  expedient. 

"  On  motion,  Elijah  Stewart,  D.  M.  Dobbin,  and  William 
Patten  were  appointed  a  new  committee  to  draft  a  set  of  by- 
laws to  govern  congregational  meetings,  a  former  committee 
having  failed  to  act. 

"  At  a  called  meeting  of  the  congregation,  held  April  5th, 
1854,  it  was  voted  to  raise  $200.00  to  pay  arrears.  It  was  voted 
separately,  to  raise  $200.00  by  subscription,  for  painting  and 
fencing  the  meeting  house." 

The  De  Kalb  historian,  Henry  L.  Boies,  recognizes  the  fact 
in  his  book  that  this  church,  built  in  1852,  was  the  first  country 
church  erected  in  this  county. 

The  Rev.  R.  W.  French,  as  already  noted,  became,  in  1849, 
the  first  regular  pastor  of  this  persevering  little  flock.  He  was 
a  strong  factor  in  establishing  the  new  house  of  worship.  Dur- 
ing his  pastorate  of  ten  years  one  hundred  and  seven  persons 
united  with  the  church.  Counting  the  twenty-six  members  who 
withdrew  in  1854  to  found  the  Reformed  Presbyterian 
Church,  would  make  a  total  membership  of  one  hundred  and 
thirty-three.  This  is  a  fine  showing  for  a  community  so 
sparsely  settled. 


50 


Doctrines 

FROM  its  foundation  until  1858  Somonauk  church  on  Som- 
onauk  Creek  was  known  as  the  "Seceder  Church"  because 
the  body  of  which  it  was  a  unit  had  withdrawn  in  early  times 
from  a  branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

How  deep  was  the  conviction  which  led  to  this  division 
another  of  John  V.  Henry's  reminiscences  well  illustrates.,  It 
will  be  remembered  that  Andrew  M.  Beveridge,  son  of  George 
Beveridge,  had  remained  in  the  East  when  the  family  moved 
to  Somonauk  and  had  become  a  Presbyterian  minister. 

'  There  is  one  incident  of  those  early  days  clearly  fixed  in 
my  memory,"  Mr.  Henry  writes  in  1925.  "I  refer  to  the 
refusal  of  Grandfather  Beveridge  to  go  to  church  when  Uncle 
Andrew  from  Lansingburg,  New  York,  preached,  as  he  was  a 
straight  Presbyterian,  and  unorthodox.   *   *   * 

"  Uncle  Andrew  came  West  nearly  every  summer  on  a 
visit.  During  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  French,  he  was  not 
invited  to  assist  in  the  church  services.  Then  came  the  interim 
of  two  years  between  Mr.  French  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Moffett, 
and  the  church  was  supplied  by  Dr.  Wallace  and  by  theological 
students  from  Monmouth  and  Xenia,  Ohio,  the  compensation 
being  eight  dollars  for  the  Sabbath  services  and  railroad  fare 
paid,  with  other  expenses,  averaging  about  twenty-five  dollars 
a  week.  Some  of  the  relatives,  as  well  as  others,  wanted  Uncle 
Andrew  to  preach  while  he  was  in  Somonauk  on  a  visit.  The 
deacons  did  not  think  favorably  at  first,  but  finally  consented, 
and  Uncle  was  asked  to  preach. 

"  Grandmother  went,  of  course,  but  Grandfather  stayed  at 
home.  Grandmother  held  Uncle's  arm  as  they  went  up  the 


51 


UNIVERS'TY  OF 
ILLINOIS  LIBRARY 


Somonauk  Church 

aisle.  He  stopped  to  see  her  seated,  then  went  to  the  platform. 
You  remember  his  manly  form,  broad  shoulders,  high  fore- 
head, flowing  hair,  piercing  but  kindly  eyes,  that  seemed  to  look 
into  one's  very  heart  and  soul. 

"Presently  placing  his  manuscript  on  the  desk  (he  always 
spoke  from  manuscript),  he  clasped  his  hands,  glanced  over  the 
congregation  and  said,  '  Let  us  pray.'  Then  moving  his  head 
slightly  backward  without  closing  his  eyes,  he  seemed  to  be 
looking  up  to  the  throne  of  God,  as  he  said:  '  Our  Father  who 
art  in  Heaven.'  He  did  not  preach  to  God,  telling  Him  of  the 
wondrous  things  He  had  done — as  many  are  wont  to  do.  Just 
talked  with  God  as  a  little  child  to  a  parent,  thankful  for  favors 
and  asking  for  more.  *  *  *  Uncle's  sermons  were  devoid 
of  '  isms  ' — just  Christ,  and  him  crucified — no  '  false  doc- 
trines ' — and  there  was  an  unusual  stillness  in  that  church. 
*  *  *  He  preached  twice  that  day  and  on  the  following 
Sabbath,  but  Grandfather  remained  at  home. 

"  Then  came  the  Rev.  Mr.  Moffett  and  he  invited  Uncle  to 
preach,  and  Grandfather  went  to  hear  his  son  preach.  How  it 
came  about  I  do  not  know.  I  thought  at  the  time,  and  still 
think,  his  daughter  (Agnes  Beveridge  Patten)  pleaded  with 
him,  till  he  got  from  behind  that  wall  of  creeds  and  doctrines 
which  he  had  built  up. 

"  Our  pew  was  third  from  the  entrance  and  I  saw  that 
joyous  glance  of  relations,  and  others  too,  as  Grandfather 
went  up  the  aisle.  Uncle  and  Grandmother  followed,  she  lean- 
ing on  the  arm  of  her  son.  There  might  have  been  tears  of 
joy  shed,  and  I  think  there  were." 

It  is  interesting  to  note  the  cause  of  the  further  division 
which  resulted  in  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church.  We 
quote  from  the  old  Somonauk  church  record  of  1854: 

"  It  may  not  be  out  of  place  here  to  state  that  for  some  time 
past   there   has   been    considerable    dissatisfaction    felt   among 

52 


Doctrines 

some  of  the  members  with  regard  to  the  view  held  and  taught 
by  the  pastor  with  respect  to  the  second  coming  of  Christ, 
and  the  character  of  the  Millennium.  This  matter  has  been 
before  the  Presbytery  and  Synod,  but  of  their  action  we  have 
no  minute.  But  it  seems  they  enjoined  those  who  were  dissatis- 
fied to  return  to  their  duty  as  church  members  and  follow  the 
things  which  make  for  peace. 

'  This  they  have  not  been  willing  to  do,  but  declined  the 
authority  of  Session  and  Presbytery,  and  afterwards  organized 
the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  of  Somonauk,  Illinois." 

It  is  only  fair  here  to  state  that  those  who  withdrew  con- 
tended for  the  sake  of  principle.  Those  who  held  to  the  post- 
millennium  view  believed  the  pre-millennium  view  was  un- 
scriptural  and  should  not  be  taught.  Others  believed  that  it 
mattered  little  which  view  was  accepted,  just  so  we  believed 
the  scriptures  that  Christ  would  come,  that,  for  a  good  reason, 
He  left  no  date  when  He  would  come,  but  left  us  the  admoni- 
tion in  His  word,  "Be  ye  also  ready,  for  in  such  an  hour  as  ye 
think  not,  the  Son  of  men  cometh."  Wisely  leaving  the  time 
of  His  coming  uncertain  to  His  followers,  but  making  it  cer- 
tain He  would  come,  in  time. 

The  outcome  goes  to  illustrate  the  strong  conviction  of  those 
sturdy  men  and  women  who  could  not  be  induced  to  be  untrue 
to  their  consciences.  Hence  the  division.  It  is  only  justice  to 
give  all  concerned  credit  for  following  the  course  they  heartily 
believed  to  be  right.  Noble  Christian  men  and  women  were  on 
both  sides  of  the  controversy.  It  has  been  correctly  said,  "  You 
cannot  break  Presbyterianism,  but  you  can  split  it." 

At  the  abandonment  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church 
nearly  ten  years  later,  the  greater  part  of  its  members,  with  the 
exception  of  some  living  far  to  the  west  and  northwest  who 
helped  to  establish  the  Waterman  Presbyterian  Church,  returned 
to  the  mother  church  of  Somonauk. 

53 


Somonauk  Church 

Since  the  union  of  the  Associate  and  the  Associate  Reformed 
Churches  in  1858,  Somonauk  church  has  been  known  as  the 
Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church,  or,  as  it  is  generally 
called,  "  The  U.  P.  Church." 


54 


The  Panic  of 185 7 

The  financial  panic  of  1857  and  1858  came  suddenly  and 
unexpectedly.  Due  to  overspeculation  many  large  and  sub- 
stantial business  houses  failed,  as  well  as  the  greater  number  of 
the  host  of  state,  commonly  called  wildcat,  banks. 

This  catastrophe  added  much  to  the  burden  of  the  settlers, 
and  business  stability  did  not  return  to  the  country  for  several 
years.  Bank  notes  declined  in  value  rapidly.  Money  disappeared 
almost  entirely  from  circulation.  Paper  money,  although  it  was 
all  but  worthless,  was  accepted  each  day  on  a  basis  of  that  day's 
rating,  as  published  in  the  Chicago  morning  papers.  To  illus- 
trate: A  man  selling  produce  in  the  morning  would  at  once  buy 
necessary  articles  at  the  store,  or  hasten  with  all  speed  to  a 
creditor  whom  he  had  previously  agreed  to  pay  on  a  certain 
day  at  about  a  certain  hour.  The  creditor,  at  the  same  time  also 
would  have  arranged  to  get  rid  of  the  dangerous  currency,  as 
it  must  not  be  held  over  night  if  it  could  possibly  be  avoided. 
At  best,  however,  many  suffered  loss.  One  instance,  given  by 
John  V.  Henry,  will  in  a  measure  illustrate: 

"It  was  in  1857,  I  think,  the  year  known  as  the  State  Bank 
Panic.  *  *  *  Father  and  other  neighbors  went  or  sent  daily 
to  the  10:00  a.  m.  train  for  the  latest  paper  issued. 

"  Father  owed  a  neighbor  $37  for  a  cow  he  had  purchased, 
and  one  morning  about  8:00  a.  m.,  he  gave  me  $85  in  the 
so-called  <  Wild  Cat  Currency  -  to  take  to  the  neighbor.  Arriv- 
ing at  the  neighbor's  place  I  met  a  playmate,  and  forgetting 
my  errand,  we  engaged  in  a  game  of  shooting  marbles.  Later 
on  I  thought  of  my  errand  and  on  inquiry  found  the  neighbor 
had  gone  to  town  for  his  Chicago  paper  and  I  left  the  $85  with 
his  wife.  After  dinner  the  neighbor  called  on  Father  with  the 
discounted  bills  in  one  hand  and  the  Chicago  paper  in  the  other 


55 


Somonauk  Church 

and  advised  him  there  was  another  tumble  and  father  then  owed 
him  $18  in  good  money  for  the  cow.  Father  sized  up  the  situa- 
tion, about  $170  in  'Wild  Cat  Currency'  for  the  $37  cow, 
and  for  my  negligence  in  not  giving  the  $85  to  our  neighbor 
immediately  on  my  arrival,  Father  paid  me  in  coin  of  the 
realm,  in  other  words,  he  gave  me  a  good  cow-hiding  without 
discount. " 

The  financial  panic  made  hard  struggling  for  the  young  and 
growing  church.  It  came  suddenly,  like  a  hailstorm  on  crops 
ready  for  harvest.  It  stagnated  business  of  every  kind.  Wheat 
dropped  to  so  low  a  figure  that  the  farmers  could  barely  pay 
their  taxes.  At  that  time  the  church  was  paying  Mr.  French 
$400  a  year  for  his  services.  From  the  record  we  gather  that 
very  little  of  his  salary  was  paid  at  the  close  of  the  year  1857. 
The  sum  simply  could  not  be  raised;   money  had  ceased  to  be 
money.  At  a  meeting  of  the  congregation,  early  in  1858,  Mr. 
French  generously  offered  to  release  his  flock  $50  of  his  salary 
for  1857,  and  the  coming  year,  1858.  This  liberal  offer  was 
highly  appreciated  by  his  people,  but  they  voted  it  down  flat. 
Another   measure   was  immediately   proposed   and   passed   the 
house,  that  "  We  pay  what  is  due  in  full,  and  Mr.  French's 
salary'  for  1858  to  be  $400."  This  action  of  the  church  stands 
on   the  church   record,   a   monument  to  the  integrity   of  the 
fathers,  and  their  sturdy  determination  to  fulfil  their  promises. 
It  was  during  this  time  of  trial,  when  the  church  all  but 
perished  from  the  lack  of  funds,  that  the  devotion  of  George 
Beveridge    to    its    service    reached    the    crowning    point.    Mr. 
Beveridge  had  founded  the  church,  lent  his  house  through  the 
course  of  years  for  its  meetings  and,  when  the  time  came  for 
a  building,  had  given  the  two  acres  of  ground  on  which  the  new 
church  stood.  Now,  in  the  day  of  peril,  he  did  not  hesitate  to 
act  as  janitor  and  in  addition  furnished  fuel  for  the  fires  from 
his  own  timber  lot.  For  this  service  the  church  record  states  he 
was  paid  $8.00  in  1858,  and  $12.00  the  year  following. 

56 


The  Underground  Railroad 

While  the  settlers  on  Somonauk  Creek  faced  the  calamities 
of  bank  panics,  devastating  hurricanes,  and  the  vicissitudes 
of  life  in  a  farming  community,  they  still  took  an  interest  in 
national  affairs.  The  question  of  slavery  more  and  more  assumed 
not  only  a  political  but  a  moral  aspect.  As  early  as  1 844  a  letter 
from  Washington  County  inquires:  "Are  there  any  Liberty 
party  men  or  voting  Abolitionists  in  your  part  of  the  world? 
That  party  is  coming  on  with  rapid  strides  in  the  East."     , 

The  settlers  in  Somonauk  were  even  more  zealous  in  their 
opposition  to  slavery  than  their  brethren  in  the  old  home.  They 
were  barely  established  in  their  cabin  homes  before  the  need 
of  aid  and  comfort  for  the  runaway  slave  made  a  practical 
outlet  for  definite  conviction.  Dr.  Otto  L.  Schmidt,  speaking 
on  the  Underground  Railroad,  at  Somonauk  church,  September 
5,  1925,  at  the  dedication  services  of  the  memorial  tablet,  thus 
analyzes  the  situation:  "  As  different  as  day  from  night  were 
the  little  Puritan  communities  of  northern  Illinois  (from  those 
of  the  southern  part  of  the  state),  perhaps  made  up,  as  in  the 
case  of  Somonauk,  of  covenanting  Presbyterian  Scotchmen. 
*  *  *  *  They  read  in  their  Bibles,  their  attention  fixed  on  the 
Golden  Rule,  the  injunction  to  hear  the  cry  of  the  oppressed, 
to  save  him  out  of  the  hands  of  the  pursuer,  to  remember  those 
in  bonds  as  bound  with  them.  Over  them  played  the  new 
humanitarian  light  of  the  nineteenth  century.  Among  them 
arose  organizations  of  the  Abolitionist  and  Liberty  parties, 
insisting  that,  whatever  the  consequences,  slavery  must  end. 
As  a  lighter  activity  they  assisted  the  runaway  slaves  to  Canada. 
In  the  thrill  of  outwitting  the  pursuers  these  men,  who  looked 
severely  on  mundane  pleasures,  found  a  fascinating  sport  in 
the  guise  of  a  high  moral  duty. 

57 


Somonauk  Church 

"  Imagine  the  runaway  slave,  occasionally  stimulated  by 
Abolitionist  emissaries  in  the  South  to  make  a  break  for  free- 
dom, taught  the  position  of  the  'North  Star'  and  the  fact  that 
beneath  it  lay  a  land  called  Canada,  where  slaves  were  free, 
making  his  way  by  stealth,  with  rare  assistance  from  whites  and 
other  slaves  to  the  bounds  of  Illinois.  Here  he  learns  by  mys- 
terious means  of  the  house  at  which  he  is  sure  of  shelter  and 
help.  From  it  he  is  passed  on  secretly  stage  by  stage,  from  sym- 
pathizer to  sympathizer,  till  at  last  on  board  schooner  or  steamer 
bound  for  Canada  where  he  can  call  himself  a  free  man.  The 
grim  humor  of  the  friends  of  the  slave  termed  the  organiza- 
tion the  '  Underground  Railroad.'  " 

The  members  of  the  "  Underground  Railroad "  took 
pleasure  in  applying  the  terms  suggested  by  the  name  to  every- 
thing connected  with  the  enterprise.  The  houses  of  sympathizers 
were  "  stations  ";  the  routes  traveled,  "  the  line  ";  the  wagons 
and  other  conveyances  used,  the  "  cars  ";  the  men  who  drove 
them,  the  "  conductors."  In  the  Western  Citi%en>  the  anti- 
slavery  newspaper,  appears  a  little  cut  of  a  train  of  cars  just 
passing  into  a  tunnel,  a  further  play  of  the  imagination  with 
the  name. 

"  To  ask  for  a  map  of  the  routes  of  the  '  railroad  '  is  to  ask 
for  a  map  of  the  routes  by  which  the  wily  fox  evades  the  hounds. 
Circumstances  and  a  close  local  knowledge  determined  them. 
Runaways  usually  entered  the  state  from  Missouri  at  Chester, 
Alton,  or  Quincy.  Sometimes  they  traveled  up  through  the  Iowa 
Territory  at  Oquawka  or  Rock  Island.   *   *  *   * 

"  The  injunction  was  usually  given  the  slave  to  travel  west 
to  the  Illinois  River.  *  *  *  Into  Chicago  one  route  passed 
along  the  present  line  of  the  Burlington  Railway,  through  this 
place  (Somonauk)  where  the  Beveridges  were  great  hands,  and 
a  future  governor  of  Illinois  (John  L.  Beveridge)  acted  as 
'  conductor.'  " 

Evidence  that  the  Beveridge  home  served  as  a  "  station  "  is 

58 


The  Underground  Railroad 

not  lacking  in  published  histories.  The  following  incident  is 
related  by  Henry  L.  Boies  in  his  History  of  De  Kalb  County: 

"In  1852  a  gentlemanly  stranger  begged  shelter  for  the 
night  at  this  house  (George  Beveridge's).  Something  led  the 
family  to  suspect  that  he  was  a  detective,  searching  for  evidence 
of  the  crime  of  aiding  slaves  to  their  freedom.  Finally  seek- 
ing an  opportunity  of  privacy,  he  asked  directly  of  the  vener- 
able mother  if  she  had  not  at  times  secreted  fugitive  negroes. 
*  Yes/  said  she,  '  and  in  spite  of  your  oppressive  laws  I  will  do 
it  whenever  I  have  opportunity.' 

"  Instead  of  immediately  arresting  her,  as  she  had  expected, 
the  stranger  laughed.  He  was  an  eminent  physician  of  Quincy, 
engaged  in  establishing  stations  on  the  Underground  Railroad. 
During  many  subsequent  years  there  was  a  frequent  stoppage 
of  '  trains  '  at  this  station,  and  much  time  and  money  were 
spent  in  forwarding  the  flying  negroes  on  to  the  Stewards  at 
Piano  and  to  other  places  of  refuge." 

An  intimate  view  of  the  Beveridge's  Underground  Station, 
as  it  appeared  to  two  small  boys  in  1853,  is  given  by  John  V. 
Henry:  "  One  day  after  our  egg-hunting  expedition,  we  were 
playing  on  top  of  a  straw  stack  when  suddenly  the  straw  gave 
way  and  we  found  ourselves  in  a  rather  circular  room  about 
eighteen  feet  in  diameter,  with  upright  posts  about  seven  feet, 
with  old  rails  and  brush  behind  to  keep  the  straw  like  a  wall, 
and  overhead  poles  running  upward  to  the  center  pole  for  a 
roof.  The  center  pole  or  support  was  a  dead  tree,  the  whole  top 
having  been  cut  off,  leaving  only  a  few  lower  stub  lines  for  the 
roof  poles  to  rest  on. 

'  Though  we  searched  for  a  long  time,  we  could  find  no 
way  of  exit,  and  finally  managed  to  climb  the  dead  tree  and 
make  our  escape  from  this  '  Underground  Station.' 

M  We  told  of  our  escapade  at  the  house,  but  the  family  did 
not  enlighten  us  as  to  the  uses  made  of  the  straw-stack  room. 
After  my  return  from  the  army,  when  secrecy  was  no  longer 

59 


Somonauk  Church 

required,  I  learned  that  had  we  searched  the  room  closely  on  the 
ground,  exactly  in  the  north  center  (toward  the  '  North  Star  ') 
we  would  have  found  an  exit,  then  packed  with  straw  and 
that  the  straw  was  thinly  lain  on  top  where  we  fell  through,  for 
the  purpose  of  ventilation." 

Fortunately  the  great  majority  of  the  citizens  of  Somonauk 
were  of  one  mind  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  but  strangely,  a 
large  number  of  Abolitionists  were  opposed  to  the  operation 
of  the  Underground  Railway,  arguing  that  it  was  contrary  to 
the  laws  of  their  country.  The  friends  of  the  road  declared 
its  charter  came  from  God.  The  Rev.  Mr.  French  was  in  full 
accord  with  the  activities  of  this  institution. 

"One  of  my  early  recollections,"  says  his  son,  A.  C.  French, 
"  is  of  Father's  unceasing  fight  against  negro  slavery.  Contrary 
to  his  experiences  in  other  communities,  in  the  congregation 
at  Somonauk  and  in  the  neighborhood,  the  predominating  senti- 
ment was  with  him.  George  Beveridge's  house  was  a  station  on 
the  '  Underground  Railway.'  Others  were  strong  Abolitionists. 
One  good  pious  deacon  was  overtaken  by  slave  catchers  who 
asked  him  if  he  had  seen  any  runaway  'niggers.'  At  that  moment 
he  had  two  or  three  of  them  under  a  load  of  green  cut  corn 
on  his  wagon.  It  was  a  case  of  prompt  truth  or  falsehood  and 
the  brother  did  not  hesitate  but  made  unqualified  denial.  My 
opinion  may  not  have  any  significance  but  I  think  the  Lord 
would  forgive  him,  and  the  Recording  Angel  would  insert  an 
asterisk  with  an  explanatory  footnote  in  the  book. 

"  I  remember  seeing  in  the  corner  seats  up  by  the  pulpit  some 
seven  or  eight  negroes  one  Sabbath  at  church,  who  were  on  their 
way  to  Canada  and  liberty.  Father  French  directed  that  a  col- 
lection be  taken  up  to  assist  them,  when  it  was  against  the  law 
to  help  in  the  escape  of  any  runaway  negro  slave. 

"  In  connection  with  the  escape  of  the  seven  or  eight  negroes 
mentioned  above  I  give  the  details  of  the  incident  as  it  was 
related  to  me.  I  was  present  at  the  time  but  too  young  to  take  it 

60 


The  Underground  Railroad 

all  in.  It  happened  one  summer  Saturday  night  that  these  escap- 
ing negroes  arrived  at  some  '  station  '  in  the  neighborhood,  prob- 
ably at  Mr.  Beveridge's,  and  in  view  of  the  fact  that  it  was  an 
'  Abolitionist '  congregation,  they  were  taken  to  church.  It  was 
known  or  feared  that  the  slave  catchers  were  after  them  and 
the  church  people  were  a  little  nervous.  Father  French  in  the 
middle  of  his  sermon  suddenly  stopped  and  said  to  the  congre- 
gation, '  Let  us  pray.'  The  congregation  immediately  rose  to 
its  feet  as  was  its  custom.  The  little  group  of  negroes  occupied 
the  corner  seats  at  the  right  of  the  pulpit.  They  were  directed 
to  remain  seated.  Father  French,  looking  out  of  the  door  at  the 
far  end  of  the  church  had  seen  men  stop  down  on  the  road  and 
one  man  coming  up  towards  the  church  door.  When  the  man 
reached  the  door  he  was  met  by  an  old  elder  who  in  response 
to  the  inquiry,  "  Have  you  any  runaway  niggers,  in  there?  " 
blandly  said,  with  a  wave  of  his  hand,  '  You  can  look  for  your- 
self.' The  man  looked,  saw  the  congregation  standing,  and  a 
parson   vigorously   praying,   couldn't   see   any   '  niggers '   and 
turned  around  and  went  off.  I  remember  the  ashy  frightened 
look  on  the  faces  of  those  negroes,  and  their  humble  manner." 
The  escaping  slave  would  use  all  the  devices  he  knew  to 
baffle  the  hounds  on  his  trail.  Rubbing  onions  on  the  soles  of 
his  shoes  was  used  with  considerable  advantage,  but  it  had  to 
be  repeated  often.   Wading  streams  for   long  distances  and 
sometimes  at  night  appropriating  a  horse  or  mule  from  a  settler 
and  riding  for  miles,  then  loosing  the  animal  and  turning  him 
toward  home.  Anything  to  break  the  scent  and  retard  the  pur- 
suer. Not  every  runaway  succeeded  in  escaping.  When  captured 
he  was  almost  certain  to  be  sold  farther  south,  which  cut  off 
all  hope  of  escape  from  a  life  of  servitude. 

Enormous  sums  were  offered  for  the  apprehension  of  fugi- 
tive slaves,  but  the  men  and  women  of  Somonauk  were  lovers 
of  their  fellow-men  and  true  to  their  convictions  of  right.  They 
spurned  the  large  offers  of  reward  as  a  reflection  on  the  char- 

61 


Somonauk  Church 

acter  of  those  to  whom  they  were  made,  although  ready  cash 
was  the  one  thing  materially  needful  for  the  progress  and 
comfort  of  the  first  settlers.  Moreover,  the  penalty  was  very 
severe  for  aiding  a  slave  to  escape.  Heavy  fines  or  imprisonment 
were  inflicted,  perhaps  both  if  discovered;  but  God  protected 
these  heroes.  The  Somonauk  community,  however,  did  not 
limit  their  opposition  to  slavery  to  maintaining  a  station  on  the 
Underground  Railroad.  The  passage  by  Congress  in  1850  of 
the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  brought  them  to  a  white  heat  of  wrath 
and  opposition.  A  mass  meeting  was  called  "  without  distinction 
of  sex  or  party."  They  met  on  the  30th  of  November,  1850, 
perhaps  in  the  schoolhouse  or  in  the  upper  room  of  the  Beveridge 
house.  The  following  official  report  of  the  meeting  appeared 
in  the  issue  of  December  3,  1850,  of  the  Western  Citizen: 

"  On  the  30th  Ult.  the  inhabitants  of  Somonauk  met  en 
mass  —  without  distinction  of  sex  or  party  —  to  give  expres- 
sion to  their  feelings  of  indignation  against  the  late  act  of 
Congress,  the  infamous  fugitive  slave  bill.  Having  gone 
through  the  preliminaries  of  organization  and  the  meeting 
opened  with  prayer,  the  chairman  appointed  a  committee  of 
five  to  draft  resolutions.  After  a  short  absence  they  returned 
with  the  following  —  there  being  in  them  but  two  slight 
amendments  from  the  original  —  all  of  which  were  most 
heartily  responded  to  in  the  affirmative: 

"  1 .  Resolved,  That  the  law  passed  at  the  present  session  of 
Congress  for  reclaiming  fugitives  from  labor  is  a  base  viola- 
tion of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  —  a  flagrant 
infringement  upon  the  sovereignty  of  the  states,  and  is  deserv- 
ing the  execration,  contempt  and  indignation  of  the  friends  of 
Human  Liberty  throughout  the  State,  the  country,  and  the 
world;  and  that  we  feel  under  no  moral  obligation  to  obey  it. 

"  2.  That  said  law  is  utter  violation  of  those  safeguards  of 
personal  liberty,  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  and  the  right  of  trial 
by  jury;  That  the  freedom  of  all  persons  without  regard  to 

62 


The  Underground  Railroad 

color,  circumstances,  or  condition,  is  placed  in  jeopardy,  as  they 
may  be  hurried  off  in  a  'summary  manner'  on  the  proper 
'  affidavit '  of  the  veriest  knave  in  Christendom. 

"  3.  That  the  authors,  abettors,  administrators,  and  de- 
fenders of  this  law  —  and  those  also,  from  the  New  England 
States,  who  '  basely  dodged  the  question  '  —  are  traitors  to 
Freedom,  serviles  of  slavery,  and  must  stand  condemned  at 
the  bar  of  an  enlightend  sentiment. 

"  4.  That  we  pledge  ourselves  not  to  support  for  office 
any  man  who  aided  in  any  way,  directly  or  indirectly,  the 
passage  of  this  law;  nor  for  any  man  that  will  not  use  his  voice, 
vote  and  influence  for  its  repeal. 

"  5.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  all  officers,  when  called  upon 
to  execute  the  provisions  of  this  act,  to  resign. 

"  6.  That  a  law  so  at  variance  with  the  laws  of  God,  and 
the  acknowledged  principles  of  Holy  Religion;  so  at  war  with 
all  the  sentiments  of  Humanity  and  Justice — so  wanting  in 
the  true  spirit  of  Republicanism,  is  unworthy  even  of  the 
veriest  despot  of  the  Old  World,  and  a  foul  blot  upon  our 
free  institutions. 

M  7.  That  when  human  inactments  conflict  with  the  laws 
of  God,  and  the  plainest  dictates  of  humanity,  we  are  at  no 
loss  '  whom  we  shall  serve  —  whether  God  or  Bael,  for  whether 
it  be  better  to  obey  God  or  man,  judge,  ye.' 

"  8.  That  to  'feed  the  hungry,  clothe  the  naked,  succor  the 
needy,  and  relieve  the  distressed/  are  duties  from  which  no 
human  laws  can  absolve  us;  and  we  are  firmly  resolved  to 
practice  those  virtues,  and  to  hold  as  null  and  void  all  conflict- 
ing laws,  though  at  the  peril  of  fine  and  imprisonment. 

"  9.  That,  '  there  is  a  power  behind  the  throne,  higher  than 
the  throne  itself  '  —  a  correct  public  sentiment  —  and  that  we 
will  'agitate!  agitate!' — back  petition  by  petition,  till  this 
infamous  law  is  repealed. 

63 


Somonauk  Church 

"  10.  That  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting, 
signed  by  the  Chairman  and  Secretary,  be  forwarded  to  the 
Chicago  Democrat,  Chicago  Tribune,  Western  Citizen, 
National  Era,  and  Western  Recorder  with  the  request  that  they 
publish  them  in  their  respective  papers,  and  that  all  papers 
North  and  South,  be  requested  to  copy  same. 

"  After  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions,  we  had  several 
short  but  spirited  and  stirring  speeches  of  which,  if  we  could 
not  boast  of  an  oratorical  flow  of  words,  we  could  at  least 
of  a  flow  of  soul — of  expression  that  came  from  the  heart. 
Methinks  I  saw  shadowed  forth  much  of  the  spirit  which 
animated  our  ancestors,  when  they  set  at  defiance  the  aggressor 
—  the  mother  country;  a  spirit  strong  and  unshaken  to  battle 
for  the  Right  —  for  Liberty,  —  even  unto  death. 

S.  H.  Lay,  Chairman. 
T.  G.  Beveridge,  Secretary. 
Somonauk,  Illinois,  November  2,  1850." 

James  H.  Beveridge  was  a  member  of  the  committee  which 
drafted  these  resolutions.  Nor  did  his  work  for  the  anti-slavery 
cause  end  with  a  written  protest.  He  was  one  of  the  leading 
spirits  who  called  the  Anti-Kansas-Nebraska  Bill  Convention 
held  in  Sycamore,  Illinois,  1854.  Two  years  later  we  find  him 
serving  as  a  delegate  to  the  first  Republican  convention  which 
was  held  at  Bloomington,  and  which  resulted  in  the  nomina- 
tion for  president  of  John  C.  Fremont.  During  the  same  years 
another  leading  citizen,  William  Patten,  served  the  district  as 
representative  in  the  state  legislature  and  voted  for  Abraham 
Lincoln  for  United  States  senator. 

Nor  were  anti-slavery  activities  in  the  political  field  confined 
to  the  laity.  "  The  Rev.  Mr.  French  was  an  Abolitionist  from 
his  youth.  As  a  young  man  he,  and  his  brother  also,  were  dele- 
gates to  the  Second  Convention  of  Abolitionists  of  Ohio,  at  Mt. 
Pleasant.  At  this  convention  James  G.  Birney  was  one  of  the 
men  sent  from  Ohio  to  the  national  convention  in  New  York, 

64 


The  Underground  Railroad 

where  in  1852  he  was  nominated  as  the  first  candidate  for 
president  of  the  United  States  on  the  anti-slavery  ticket.  Father 
French  voted  this  ticket,  and  continued  to  vote  the  anti-slavery 
ticket,  voting  for  John  C.  Fremont  in  1856,  the  first  Repub- 
lican nominee  for  president,  and  in  1860  for  Abraham  Lin- 
coln, the  first  successful  candidate  for  president  on  this  plat- 
form. 

"When  Lincoln  became  president  in  1861,  and  called  for 
75,000  volunteers  in  defense  of  the  Union,  many  of  the  young 
men  of  Somonauk  enlisted,  serving  with  gallantry  in  all 
capacities  from  soldiers  in  the  ranks  to  high  grades  among  the 
commissioned  officers.  Among  them  the  military  record  of  John 
Lourie  Beveridge  is  the  most  distinguished.  He  assisted  in  rais- 
ing the  quota  of  his  regiment,  the  8th  Illinois  Calvary,  with 
such  success  that  its  ranks  were  filled  within  a  few  days  and 
he  was  chosen  second  major.  On  joining  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  in  1862,  he  served  in  the  advance  on  Richmond.  The 
following  year  Major  Beveridge  led  his  regiment  at  the  battles 
of  Gettysburg,  Williamsburg,  Boonesboro,  Funkstown,  and 
between  the  Rappahannock  and  the  Culpepper  —  in  all,  forty- 
seven  engagements.  In  November,  1863,  he  was  commissioned 
colonel  of  the  17th  Illinois  Cavalry  and  served  in  Missouri. 
Later  he  was  breveted  brigadier  general  for  gallant  and 
meritorious  conduct. 


65 


Later  Church  Records 

Meanwhile,  having  weathered  financial  disaster,  the 
Somonauk  church  had  continued  to  grow  in  both  use- 
fulness and  membership.  Echoes  of  the  controversy  which  had 
divided  the  church  five  years  before  still  troubled  the  reunited 
membership,  with  the  result  recorded  in  the  session  book: 

"Sabbath,  August  21,  1859,  Rev.  R.  W.  French  gave 
notice  it  was  his  intention  to  offer  his  resignation  of  his  pastoral 
charge  of  the  congregation  of  Somonauk  at  the  next  meeting 
of  the  Chicago  Presbytery  to  be  held  on  the  25th  inst.,  in  Wash- 
ington, Iowa.  Congregation  convened  next  day  and  acquiesced 
in  his  request." 

Of  this  event,  Dr.  French's  son  states:  "  In  1859  he  gave 
up  the  pastorate  of  Somonauk  after  nearly,  or  quite,  ten  years 
of  service  in  that  position.  It  was  brought  about  largely  by  a 
division  in  the  congregation  over  his  views  on  Prophecy.  He 
had  adopted  what  is  known  as  the  pre-millennial  view,  and 
advocated  it  frequently  in  his  preaching,  with  the  same  con- 
viction of  its  truth  that  he  did  for  the  abolition  of  human 
slavery."  So  Somonauk  church  parted  with  its  first  pastor.  The 
French  family,  of  United  Presbyterian  stock  in  Washington 
County,  is  traced  in  the  Ancestral  Lines. 

After  about  a  year  and  a  half  without  a  pastor,  early  in 
1861,  the  Rev.  William  Turner  MofTett,  a  young  minister 
who  had  just  finished  his  course  in  theology,  began  his  pas- 
torate. He  lived  for  a  time  in  the  house  of  Elder  Andrew 
Beveridge,  who  was  a  younger  brother  of  George  Beveridge. 
It  stands  on  record  that  he  met  with  his  session  the  first  time, 
June  4,  1861. 

Mr.  MofTett  was  the  spiritual  guide  of  Somonauk  for 
almost  seventeen  years,  and  he  built  the  church  up  to  nearly 

66 


Later  Church  Records 

its  greatest  numerical  strength.  The  building  was  not  large 
enough  to  accommodate  the  increased  congregation,  so  meas- 
ures were  taken  to  extend  it  twenty-five  feet  on  to  the  north 
end,  of  which  ten  feet  were  set  off  for  a  vestibule.  This  exten- 
sion added  one-third  more  seating  room  at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 
Even  the  enlarged  house,  by  the  early  70s,  was  inadequate  for 
the  church-going  people. 

During  the  latter  years  of  Mr.  Moffett's  pastorate,  the 
congregation  agreed  on  measures  to  erect  a  more  capacious, 
convenient  and  up-to-date  house  of  worship  on  the  same  site 
as  the  original  church.  The  result  was  the  present  edifice,  which 
was  erected  in  1874.  The  Hon.  James  H.  Beveridge,  being  on 
the  Illinois  State  House  building  commission  at  that  time,  paid 
the  architect  of  the  State  House  for  the  plans  and  specifications 
for  the  new  church,  and  donated  them  to  the  congregation. 
At  a  business  meeting  these  specifications  were  accepted  by  the 
members.  A  few  were  inclined  to  think  it  wise  to  leave  the 
steeple  off  in  order  to  curtail  the  cost.  William  Patten  laugh- 
ingly asked  the  question,  "  Would  any  of  you  buy  a  fine  look- 
ing rooster,  then  pull  out  his  tail  feathers?  "  The  steeple  was 
built  and  was  one  hundred  feet  in  height  from  the  base. 
Thirty-five  years  of  stormy  winds  beating  against  it  weakened 
its  framework  and  made  it  prudent  to  lower  the  steeple  nearer 
to  the  church  roof,  where  it  was  covered  over  as  it  is  today. 

There  is  a  tradition  that  the  congregation  also  objected  to  the 
proposed  height  of  the  building  itself,  on  the  ground  that  it 
might  appear  too  pretentious  for  the  house  of  God.  Mr. 
William  Patten  again  intervened  and  succeeded  in  adhering  to 
the  plans  of  the  architect  by  taking  the  measurements  from 
the  top  of  the  foundation  rather  than  from  the  ground  level. 

The  session  at  the  time  of  the  building  of  the  second  church 
was  composed  of  William  Patten,  Elijah  Stewart,  Andrew 
Beveridge,  Peter  McClellan,  William  Armstrong,  Smith 
Mercer,  David  M.  Dobbin,  Isaac  Graham  and  Andrew 
Randies. 

67 


Somonauk  Church 

The  five  church  trustees  constituted  the  authorized  build- 
ing committee,  and  were:  James  McCleery,  Smith  Mercer, 
John  White,  John  Boyd  and  Andrew  Graham,  the  last  men- 
tioned serving  as  treasurer  of  the  committee.  John  Boyd,  a 
carpenter  himself,  made  it  his  special  business  to  see  that  the 
work  was  done  according  to  contract. 

The  new  church  cost  approximately  $12,000  and  was  dedi- 
cated June  24,  1875.  Dr.  David  A.  Wallace,  then  president 
of  Monmouth  College,  delivered  the  address  to  a  congrega- 
tion that  overflowed  the  house. 

Of  the  five  men  who  were  on  the  building  committee  in 
1874,  and  of  the  nine  elders  active  in  the  duties  of  their  office 
at  that  time,  and  all  of  both  groups  who  were  present  at  the 
dedication  of  the  church  in  1875,  but  one  person,  Andrew 
Graham,  was  living  to  attend  the  dedication  of  the  bronze 
tablet  on  the  churchyard  corner,  September  5,  1925. 

During  the  first  half  century  of  the  organization  of  the 
church,  it  is  interesting  to  note  in  the  session  book  evidences  of 
the  watchful  care  over  their  flocks  of  the  pastor  and  ruling 
elders,  and  how  keenly  they  felt  the  importance  of  their 
responsibility.  If  a  member  was  absent  from  service  a  single 
Sabbath,  the  absence  was  noticed.  If  absent  two,  or  three  times 
at  most  in  succession,  the  pastor  or  an  elder  —  probably  the  two 
together  —  waited  on  that  member  to  ascertain  if  the  absence 
was  providential,  or  the  result  of  growing  carelessness.  In 
either  case,  a  friendly  visit  would  be  wise  and  helpful.  For  any 
unrepentant  offender,  discipline  might  be  severe,  but  it  was 
applied  in  the  spirit  of  sincerity  and  kindness,  generally  result- 
ing happily. 

With  the  passage  of  years  customs  of  life  and  church  attend- 
ance changed  and  it  was  no  longer  possible  to  exercise  the  strict 
discipline  of  the  early  days.  Nor  was  this  the  only  change  in  the 
mode  of  life  in  the  community.  A  quaint  invitation  dating  from 
the  days  of  the  Civil  War  gives  a  fleeting  picture  of  the  time: 

68 


DONATION  VISIT 


*v  omatxww)       5  lk&     >at)    Mi 


. 


"      »cAaUjoAUi    wvuiLi]      t     attw 


IV 


COMMITTEE  OF  ARRANGEMENTS 


A     STEDI  AL'j    A'    LADY. 

'    ^     M   CLKI.LI  S    A-   LADY 

l',)»-')     UBAHAIJ  £    LADY, 

rfxs.  iikmu     lady. 


^u*.  PA'i'JLtA  4  LA 


JOHN    WALKKK  <v   LADY 
W.  J.  DOBBIN  ,v   LADY, 
JOHN    ROT  D  .v    LADY. 
A  LADY 


Later  Church  Records 

Dr.  Moffett  resigned  his  charge  over  the  Somonauk  church, 
November  27,  1877.  Only  time  can  reveal  the  full  results  of 
the  great  work  he  did  for  the  community  during  the  seventeen 
years  of  his  pastorate.  As  had  his  predecessor,  he  had  built  his 
own  house,  but  on  the  church  property  donated  by  George 
Beveridge.  When  he  left  Somonauk  the  church  members  pur- 
chased the  house  from  him  at  its  full  value.  The  present  manse 
stands  upon  the  site. 

In  the  fall  of  1878  the  Rev.  David  Stewart  Kennedy  was 
called  to  take  the  oversight  of  the  flock.  Mr.  Kennedy,  like  his 
predecessors,  was  an  excellent  preacher  and  pastor.  He  was 
especially  attentive  to  the  sick  and  to  the  old  people.  Having 
been  a  chaplain  in  the  Union  army  of  the  Civil  War,  he  had 
had  considerable  experience  in  caring  for  the  sick  and  wounded, 
which  made  him  very  helpful  in  after  life  in  cases  of  sick- 
ness or  accident.  In  his  fourteen  years  as  minister,  nearly  two 
hundred  names  were  added  to  the  church  roll. 

In  December  of  1893,  Dr.  Kennedy,  because  of  ill  health, 
was  released  from  his  pastorate  by  the  Presbytery. 

After  a  vacancy  of  one  year,  the  Rev.  A.  C.  Hastings  was 
called  to  become  the  pastor.  He  accepted  and  was  installed  by 
the  Presbytery  early  in  1895.  Mr.  Hastings  was  aggressive  in 
his  methods  of  work  and  he  strengthened  the  brethren  and  the 
church. 

March  18,  1896,  marked  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the 
organization  of  the  church.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Hastings  and  his 
people  spared  no  pains  in  planning  to  celebrate  the  event  with 
both  interest  and  profit.  The  first  pastor,  the  venerable  Rev. 
R.  W.  French,  was  present  and  in  his  usual  happy  mood.  Many 
former  members  attended,  some  coming  from  other  states. 
The  Rev.  D.  Irons,  of  Xenia,  Ohio,  gave  a  timely  address. 
Dr.  Alexander  Gilchrist,  a  product  of  the  church,  gave  an 
address  in  keeping  with  the  occasion.  Dr.  Jesse  Johnston  of  the 
Theological  Seminary,  at  Xenia,  Ohio,  delivered  an  exceed- 

69 


Somonauk  Church 

ingly  helpful  address  in  the  evening  from  the  text,  "  Even  the 
Son  of  man  came  not  to  be  ministered  unto,  but  to  minister." 
Visiting  members  from  other  places  testified  feelingly  to  the 
way  the  church  had  nourished  and  sheltered  them  in  their 
youth. 

Mr.  Hastings  was  released  from  his  charge  at  Somonauk, 
September  1,  1903,  after  having  rendered  fruitful  service  for 
eight  years  and  seven  months. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  A.  Speer  was  called  and  installed  in  the 
spring  of  1904.  He  was  a  young  man  of  unusual  courage  in 
serving  the  truth  as  he  saw  it  and  was  aggressive  in  his  methods. 
It  was  during  his  pastorate  that  instrumental  music  was  first 
installed  to  assist  in  the  praise  service.  The  members  were 
divided  on  the  expedience  of  putting  in  an  organ  or  piano.  It 
was  mutually  agreed  to  leave  the  question  to  a  vote  of  the  mem- 
bers and  abide  by  the  majority.  A  day  was  set  to  meet  at  the 
church  and  cast  the  vote.  The  attendance  was  good  and  a  large 
majority  voted  for  the  innovation  and  a  small  pipe  organ  was 
placed  in  the  church. 

After  four  years  of  valuable  service,  Mr.  Speer  demitted  his 
charge  here,  in  June,  1908.  He  was  followed  in  May,  1909, 
by  the  Rev.  John  Acheson,  who  officiated  over  the  church  eight 
years  and  three  months. 

The  Rev.  W.  H.  Hemphill  was  next  called  and  took  up 
the  work  in  the  spring  of  1918.  After  serving  the  people  two 
years  he  was  released  at  his  request  in  the  spring  of  1920. 

The  following  autumn  the  Rev.  H.  L.  Henderson  was 
secured.  It  was  during  his  pastorate  that  the  seventy-fifth  anni- 
versary of  Somonauk  church  was  celebrated.  While  March  1 8, 
1921,  was  the  exact  date,  August  26,  27  and  28,  the  same 
year,  was  the  time  chosen  for  the  ceremonies.  Everything  seemed 
to  work  together  for  the  success  of  the  event,  even  the  weather 
and  the  state  of  the  roads  were  favorable. 

70 


The  Parsonage 


School/iouse,  Built  About  1862 
Offosite  the  Church 


Later  Church  Records 

A.  J.  Boyle,  a  member  of  the  session,  gave  an  address  of 
welcome  the  first  evening,  Friday,  the  26th.  W.  J.  French,  of 
Waterloo,  Iowa,  a  former  member,  made  the  response.  Mr. 
French  opened  his  address  by  asking  those  who  lived  in  Som- 
onauk  to  rise,  then  he  asked  the  homecomers  to  rise.  The  latter 
were  almost  equal  in  number  to  the  former.  Saturday  morning 
the  Rev.  J.  A.  Speer  led  the  devotional  exercises.  Then  J.  B. 
Robinson  read  a  brief  history  of  the  church.  Many  addresses 
and  reminiscences  were  given,  reviving  old  and  happy  memories 
of  former  days.  However,  it  is  conceded  that  the  climax  was 
reached  Sabbath  morning  when  a  son  of  the  congregation^  the 
Rev.  A.  J.  Randies,  of  New  Castle,  Pennsylvania,  delivered 
an  eloquent  and  most  forceful  sermon,  taking  for  his  text 
Deut.  1 :  6,  "  The  Lord  our  God  spake  unto  us  in  Horeb,  saying, 
ye  have  dwelt  long  enough  in  this  mount."  We  can  imagine 
the  happiness  and  profit  of  such  a  gathering. 

Among  those  assembled  in  the  church  on  this  occasion,  the 
most  interesting  figure  was  that  of  the  venerable  Mrs.  Mar- 
garet Graham  McCleery,  born  in  1837,  who  had  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  first  Sabbath  School  class,  held  about  1851  in  the 
first  church  building.  Mrs.  McCleery  lived  to  be  present  at 
the  dedication  of  the  tablet. 

Mr.  Henderson,  after  a  successful  pastorate  of  nearly  three 
years,  resigned  September  15,  1923.  Two  months  later  the 
present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Frederick  S.  Bull,  accepted  the  call  of 
the  congregation  and  is  doing  excellent  work. 

Only  less  important  to  the  work  of  the  church  than  the 
pastors  were  the  Ruling  Elders,  and  their  names  should  not  be 
forgotten.  They  are : 

Elected  March  18,  1846:  William  Patten,  David  Miller 
Dobbin. 

Elected  1850:  Joseph  A.  Thompson. 

March  5,  1854:  Elijah  Stewart,  Isaac  Graham. 

February  28,  1857:  Thomas  Graham,  Smith  Mercer, 
Andrew  Beveridge. 


Somonauk  Church 

December  18,  1867:  William  Armstrong,  Peter  C.  Mc- 
Clellan,  Andrew  Randies,  Joseph  T.  Fulton. 

March  24,  1883:  T.  H.  Robinson,  William  D.  McCleery, 
Thomas  J.  McElhenney. 

March  11,  1896:  Ward  McAllister,  George  Howison, 
William  G.  Ferguson,  Frank  Richey. 

May  15,  1907:  Charles  H.  White,  William  J.  Randies, 
James  A.  McCleery,  Raymond  McCleery. 

May  5,  1916:  T.  H.  Robinson,  Charles  H.  White,  A.  J. 
Boyle,  Wells  E.  Fay. 

Acting  Ruling  Elders  at  the  present  time,  1927:  Ward 
McAllister,  James  A.  McCleery,  Charles  H.  White,  Wells 
E.  Fay,  T.  H.  Robinson. 

Teaching  Elder,  the  Rev.  Fred  S.  Bull. 

The  sons  and  daughters  of  Somonauk  church  who  have 
entered  the  ministry  are : 

Samuel  J.  Stewart,  Russell  Graham,  William  J.  McAllister, 
Alexander  Gilchrist,  Jesse  Beitel,  John  A.  MahafTy,  Archie 
L.  Graham,  Andrew  Randies,  Carlisle  McCleery,  Andrew  J. 
Cole,  Elsie  Mitchell. 

In  secular  life  the  sons  and  daughters  of  the  founders  of 
Somonauk  church  have  carried  their  share  of  the  burdens  and 
rewards  of  their  day.  Some  have  been  outstanding  figures  in 
the  educational,  political  and  business  world;  all  have  been 
worthy  of  the  sacrifice  and  example  of  their  forefathers. 
Although  many  of  them  have  left  the  early  settlement  on 
Somonauk  Creek,  they  still  hold  reverently  the  memory  of  life 
under  the  influence  and  teaching  of  the  Somonauk  United 
Presbyterian  Church. 

Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church,  after  eighty-one 
years  of  service,  still  carries  on  the  tradition  of  its  founders. 
The  pioneers  who  dared  the  wilderness,  cleared  the  land, 
developed  the  state,  and  founded  the  church,  died  many  years 
ago.   They  lie  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

72 


Dedication  of  the  Tablet 

On  the  afternoon  of  September  5,   1925,  a  notable  event 
took  place  at  the  Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
This  was  the  occasion  of  the  dedication  of  a  bronze  tablet, 
given  by  James  A.  Patten  and  Henry  J.  Patten  to  commemorate 
the  erection  of  the  first  cabin  built  by  a  white  man  in  De  Kalb 
County,  in  1834,  and  the  organization  of  the  church  in  1846. 
A  suitable  boulder,   long  sought   for  the  monument,   was 
finally  found  on  the  bank  of  Big  Rock  Creek,  ten  miles  away. 
With  difficulty  it  was  moved  to  the  other  bank,  when  the  ice 
was  frozen  deep.  There  it  was  loaded  on  skids  made  of  two 
large  logs,  and  trailed  behind  a  powerful  gasoline  truck  to  its 
place  at  the  northwest  corner  of  the  churchyard.  It  was  no 
easy  task  for  the  chosen  group  of  men  from  the  church  to  move 
the  monster  boulder,  as  it  weighs  about  seven  tons.  It  was 
decided  to  place  the  boulder  monument  on  the  northwest  cor- 
ner of  the  churchyard,  by  the  roadside,  where  it  is  conspicuous 
and  where  the  bronze  tablet  can  be  easily  read  from  the  much- 
traveled  highway,  rather  than  on  the  exact  site  of  the  cabin, 
which  stood  across  Somonauk  Creek  a  few  yards  north  of  the 
bridge.  The  inscription  reads: 

SOMONAUK  UNITED  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

ORGANIZED  MARCH  18,  1846,  IN  THE  CABIN  OF 

GEORGE  BEVERIDGE 

FIRST  CHURCH  BUILDING  ERECTED  IN  1852, 

SECOND  IN  1875. 

FIRST  PASTOR,   R.   W.    FRENCH,    1849-59; 

SECOND  PASTOR,  W.  T.  MOFFETT,  1861-77} 

THIRD  PASTOR,  D.  S.  KENNEDY  1878-93. 

ORIGINAL    CHURCH    MEMBERS:    DAVID    M.    DOBBIN    AND 

WILLIAM    PATTEN,    ELDERS  j     GEORGE    BEVERIDGE,    ANN 

HOY  BEVERIDGE,  ISABEL  BEVERIDGE  FRENCH,  JONATHAN 

73 


Somonauk  Church 

FRENCH,  ANN  EDGAR  FRENCH,  SARAH  FRENCH,  MARGARET 
BLACK  HOWISON,  MARY  ROBERTSON  PATTEN,  ELIZABETH 
PRATT  PATTEN,  ISABEL  WILLIAMSON  ROBERTSON,  DR. 
JOHN  SHANKLAND,  ANN  DOBBIN  TELFORD,  JOHN  WALKER, 
NANCY  WALLS  WALKER,  JAMES  WALKER.  FIRST  NEW  MEM- 
BERS: WILLIAM  ROBERTSON,  MARY  FRENCH  DOBBIN,  ALEX- 
ANDER FRENCH,  ROBERT  PATTEN,  ALEXANDER  R.  PATTEN, 

AGNES  BEVERIDGE  AND  DANIEL  BOYD. 
ON  THE  NORTHEAST  CORNER  ACROSS  THE  BRIDGE,  A 
SMALL  LOG  CABIN,  THE  FIRST  BUILDING  ERECTED  BY  A 
WHITE  MAN  IN  De  KALB  COUNTY,  WAS  BUILT  IN  THE 
SPRING  OF  18  34-,  BY  AN  UNKNOWN  TRAPPER.  ABANDONED 
IN  THE  AUTUMN,  USED  DURING  THE  WINTER  BY  ONE 
ROBINSON,  THE  NEXT  YEAR  KEPT  AS  A  TAVERN  BY  JAMES 
ROOT.  USED  AS  A  STATION  ON  THE  MAIL  ROUTE  INAUGU- 
RATED IN  18  34  BETWEEN  CHICAGO  AND  GALENA.  LATER 
OCCUPIED  BY  JOHN  EASTABROOKS.  IN  1842  BECAME  THE 
HOME  OF  GEORGE  BEVERIDGE  (1785-1870)  AND  HIS  WIFE, 
ANN  HOY  (1788-1865).  A  STATION  ON  THE  UNDERGROUND 
RAILROAD   WHERE  RUNAWAY   SLAVES  WERE   CONCEALED 

AND  FORWARDED  ON  TO   CANADA. 

ERECTED  UNDER  THE  JOINT  AUSPICES  OF  THE  CHICAGO 

HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  AND  THE  DAUGHTERS  OF 

THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  dedication  a  large  part  of  the  com- 
munity, together  with  visitors  from  a  dozen  states,  as  well  as 
the  members,  gathered  at  the  church.  As  was  the  case  at  the 
75th  anniversary  gathering,  Margaret  Graham  McCleery  was 
the  eldest  representative  of  the  pioneer  members  present,  and 
in  the  register  provided  for  that  purpose  she  signed  her  name 
at  the  head  of  the  list  in  a  clear,  legible  hand.  This  was  per- 
haps Mrs.  McCleery's  last  appearance  in  public  as  she  died 
August  16,  1926,  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years. 

James  A.  Patten,  of  Evanston,  Illinois,  presided.  Dr.  J.  M. 
Lewis,  of  Sandwich,  led  the  audience  in  the  invocation,  after 

74 


Dedication  of  the  Tablet 

which,  a  choir  of  seven  of  the  community  men  sang  "For 
Friends  So  True."  Then  the  pastor  of  the  church,  the  Rev. 
Frederick  S.  Bull,  extended  greetings  and  gave  the  introductory 
address. 

He  was  followed  by  Dr.  T.  H.  Mc Michael,  president  of 
Monmouth  College,  whose  subject  was  "  The  Early  Settlers," 
and  Dr.  Otto  L.  Schmidt,  president  of  both  the  Chicago  and 
Illinois  Historical  societies,  who  spoke  on  "  The  Underground 
Railroad."  After  songs  sung  by  Mrs.  Helen  Greenfield,  James 
A.  Patten  spoke  on  the  meaning  of  the  memorial  tablet,  after 
which  he  and  Henry  J.  Patten  led  the  audience  to  the  spot 
where  the  boulder  and  its  tablet  stood  covered  with  an  American 
flag.  The  ceremony  of  unveiling  the  monument  was  performed 
by  James  A.  Patten.  After  a  moment  of  silence  the  assemblage 
joined  in  singing  the  One  Hundredth  Psalm  in  meter  to  the 
tune  "Old  Hundred": 

All  people  that  on  earth  do  dwell, 

Sing  to  the  Lord  with  cheerful  voice, 

Him  serve  with  mirth,  His  praise  forth  tell, 
Come  ye  before  Him  and  rejoice. 

Know  that  the  Lord  is  God  indeed; 

Without  our  aid  he  did  us  make; 
We  are  His  flock,  He  doth  us  feed 

And  for  His  sheep  He  doth  us  take. 

O,  enter  then  His  gates  with  joy, 

Within  His  courts  His  praise  proclaim; 

Let  thankful  songs  your  tongues  employ, 
O,  bless  and  magnify  His  name. 

Because  the  Lord  our  God  is  good, 

His  mercy  is  forever  sure; 
His  truth  at  all  times  firmly  stood, 

And  shall  from  age  to  age  endure. 

75 


*7fr% 


Hi 


i   „f  Soraomui,  /<•»»■  .-"'.-.  »l  D,  KM  Cokmv,  A'/ 
M.    (  ..."./  frnkyltrail  Church   Of  l*»  fi«r»/    Rti,r,J<r   f  „, ,„  ,„  ,/„  f.V„/„  „/  ,/„  Maf 


ANCESTRAL  LINES 


The  Armstrong  Family 

"Armstrong,  the  name  of  a  famous  border  family  which 
chiefly  inhabited  Lidderdale.  According  to  tradition,  the  orig- 
inal surname  was  Fairburn,  and  belonged  to  the  armour  bearer 
of  an  ancient  King  of  Scotland  who,  having  his  horse  killed 
under  him,  was  straightway  remounted  by  Fairburn  on  his 
own  horse.  For  this  timely  assistance,  the  king  rewarded  him 
with  lands  on  the  border  and,  in  allusion  to  the  manner  in 
which  so  important  a  service  was  performed  —  Fairburn 
having  taken  the  King  by  the  thigh,  and  set  him  at  once  in  the 
saddle  —  his  royal  master  gave  him  the  name  of  Armstrong. 
"Amongst  the  clans  on  the  Scottish  side  of  the  border  the 
Armstrongs  were  formerly  one  of  the  most  numerous. 

'They  possessed  the  greater  part  of  Lidderdale,  which 
forms  the  southern  district  of  Roxburyshire  and  of  the  de- 
batable land.  All  along  the  banks  of  the  Liddle  the  ruins  of 
their  ancient  fortresses  may  still  be  traced. 

"The  habitual  depredations  of  this  border  race  had  ren- 
dered them  so  active  and  daring  and  at  the  same  time  so  cau- 
tious and  circumspect,  that  they  seldom  failed  either  in  their 
attacks  or  in  securing  their  prey.  Even  when  assailed  by  superior 
numbers  they  baffled  every  assault  by  abandoning  their  dwell- 
ings and  retiring  with  their  families  into  thick  woods  and 
deep  morasses,  accessible  by  paths  known  only  to  themselves." 

— Anderson,  "Scottish  Nation." 
DAVID  (1)  ARMSTRONG  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1770 
and  when  very  young  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Ballibay, 
County  Monaghan,  Ireland.  In  1786  he  left  his  home  in 
Ireland  and  came  to  America,  and  a  year  later  joined  Dr. 
Clark's  colony  in  Salem,  Washington  County,  New  York. 
He  was  a  resident  of  that  county  for  seventy  years. 

In  1807  he  purchased  land  in  Argyle  and  continued  to  reside 
there  until  his  removal  to  Hebron  about   1828.   He  was  for 

79 


Somonauk  Church 


many  years  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Hebron  United  Presbyterian 
Church.  In  1856  he  came  west  wrth  his  son  John  (2)  and 
family,  settling  in  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois  where  he  died 
his  son's  home  near  Sandwich,  February   13,   1866,  aged 


in 

ninety-six  years 


David   Armstrong   married    first,    about    1799,    Elizabeth 

.  He  married  a  second  wife  late  in  life. 

Children  by  first  marriage,  born  in  Argyle,  N.  Y.: 
i.  RobertC.  (2),  born  Nov.  11,  1800. 
ii.  William,  born  Jan.  20,  1804. 
iii.   Dr.  Thomas. 

iv.   David,  died  in  Albuquerque,  N.  M. 
v.  John,  born  Feb.  2,  1813. 
vi.  Jane,  married  Anson  Parks, 
vii.  Another  daughter. 
ROBERT  C.    (2)   ARMSTRONG    born  Novemta r    11 
1800;    died  in  Sandwich,  Illinois,  July   \2,   1873;    marred 

,  Rebecca  Hall,  of  North  Argyle,  New  York;  born  March 

24,  1805;  died  in  Waterloo,  Iowa,  November  16,  1880. 

Children: 

i.  Tohn  (3),  of  North  Argyle,  N.Y. 

ii.  Mary  Ann,  married Irving,  of  Sterlmg  Valley, 

iii    Elizabeth,  born  Aug.  29,  1828;  died  near  Hinckley, 
111.,  Dec.  4,  1880;  married  W.  Henry  Carr. 

Children: 

i    Robert  (4)  Carr,  a  lawyer  and  judge  in  Iowa, 
ii.  Lucretia   Carr,   married   James   Blair   Dobbin, 

son  of  David  Miller  Dobbin, 
iii.  Mary  Carr,  married  David  Jones,  of  Hinck- 
ley, 111. 
WILLIAM  (2)  ARMSTRONG,  born  January  20,  1804; 
died  in  Somonauk,  Illinois,  February  15,  1880,  having  moved 

80 


The  Armstrong  Family 

there  with  his  family  in  1867;  married  Phoebe  (3)  McClellan 
of  Hebron,  New  York;  born  August  14,  1808;  died  in  Somon- 
auk  township,  January  31,  1894.  He  was  a  ruling  elder  in 
both  Hebron  (New  York)  and  Somonauk  (Illinois)  United 
Presbyterian  churches. 

Children,  born  in  Hebron,  N.  Y.: 

i.  William  Thomas  (3),  married  his  cousin  Mary  Arm- 
strong, daughter  of  David  and  Jane  (McEachron) 
Armstrong,  of  Sandwich,  111. 
ii.  David  James,   born    May    13,    1843;    died   in   Sand- 
wich, 111.,  Dec.  6,  1921;  married  Dec.  27,  1876, 
Anna   Pamelia   Robertson,   daughter  of   William 
(3)  and  Anna  Pamelia  (Henry)  Robertson. 
Children: 
i.  William  W.  (4),  born  July  3,  1880. 
ii.   Henry  A.,  born  Jan.  31,   1882;   died  Feb.   11, 

1920. 
iii.   D.  Le  Roy,  born  Sept.  17,  1888. 

iii.  John  Alexander    (3),   born  ;    died  Dec.  , 

1921;  married  first,  Puella,  daughter  of  Thomas 
White;   born  July  11,   1846;   died  Jan.  4,  1872; 
married  second,  Isabel  Cole. 
Child  by  first  wife : 
i.  Carrie  (4). 

DR.  THOMAS  (2)  ARMSTRONG,  of  Sandwich,  Illinois, 
married  first,  Joanna  Terry. 
Children: 

i.   Shubael  Terry  (3),  of  Sycamore, 
ii.  Addison. 

iii.  Anna,    married    Dr.    Solon    White.     Their   son,    Dr. 
Max  S.  White,  is  dean  of  men  in  the  University 
of  Minnesota. 
Dr.  Thomas  Armstrong  married  second,  Augusta,  daugh- 
ter of  Luther  Kent,  of  Sandwich,  Illinois. 

81 


Somonauk  Church 

JOHN  (2)  ARMSTRONG,  born  February  2,  1813;  died 
in  his  home  near  Sandwich,  Illinois,  October  25,  1885;  mar- 
ried in  Hebron,  Washington  County,  New  York,  Jane  A  Beat- 
tie;  born  September  13,  1813;  died  October  25,  1890;  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Sarah  Beattie  (born  in  Salem,  New  York,  m 
1774)  who  were  married  March  19,  1795.  James  Beatt.es 
father,  Thomas  (2)  Beattie,  born  in  Ireland  in  1747,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Revolution.  Thomas  (1)  Beattie,  the  grand- 
father, and  familv  came  from  Ballibay,  County  Monaghan, 
Ireland,  with  Dr.  Clark's  congregation  and  settled  in  Salem 
in  1767. 

Children: 

i.  Hannah  (3),  died  in  infancy, 
ii.  Sarah  E.,  married  Jan.  1,  1875,  Henry  J.  Faxon, 
iii.  John  J.,  born  Feb.  26,  1838. 

TOHN  J  (3)  ARMSTRONG,  born  February  26,  1838; 
married  first,  Mary,  daughter  of  George  and  Hester  Hough; 
she  died  March  28,  1864. 

Child:  ,.       ,, 

i    George  L.   (4),  of  Naperville,  111.;   born  May   16, 
1863;  married  in  1884,  Fannie  Hummiston.  One 
daughter,  Mary,  married  Arthur  Wegner,  of  Tur- 
tle Lake,  Wis. 
Tohn    T.   Armstrong  married  second,   December   4     1866, 
Caroline  Antoinette  Fraser,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary 
(Faxon)  Fraser.  He  served  in  Company  H,  156th  reglment 
of  Illinois  Volunteers  in  the  Civil  War. 

Children:  ,       „. 

i  Winfred  J.  (4),  born  Jan.  28,  1869,  at  the  old  home- 
stead near  Sandwich,  111.,  the  home  of  six  genera- 
tions of  Armstrongs;  married  Nov.  27,  1891,  Ma- 
thilde  C.  Stoffregen,  born  in  Piano,  111. 

82 


The  Beveridge  Family 
Children: 

i.   Gladys   Fredrica    (5),    born    Dec.    20,    1892; 
married  Oct.  4,  1917,  William  Harry  Fraser 
Child:  y 

i.  William  Armstrong  (6)  Fraser. 
ii.   Carl   Berwyn,   born   Mar.   21,    1899;    married 
Mar.   20,    1920,   Ailleen   Wright,   daughter 
of  Edgar  and  Ann  Wright. 
Children  : 

i.   Beverly  Ann  (6). 
ii.   Donald, 
iii.   Myrl  Winifred,  born  Oct.   17,   1901;   married 
Sept.  28,  1921,  Marshall  HeeR. 
Child: 

i.   Bonnie  Myrl  (6)  Heeg,  born  June  4,  1923. 
ii.   Edyth   Mae,   born   Mar.    18,    1877;    married  Nov.   26 
1902,  Harry  E.Olsen. 
Child: 

i.   Sterling  Maynard  (5)  Olsen,  born  May  1,  1905. 

The  Beveridge  Family 

The  origin  of  the  Beveridge  name  is  obscure.  It  is  not 
English,  for  the  name  has  always  been  rare  in  England- 
neither  is  it  pure  Scottish,  as  it  does  not  appear  in  the  old  Scottish 
records.  There  was  a  noted  English  bishop,  William  Beveridge, 
who  was  born  in  1638.  Little  is  known  of  him  except  that  his 
father  and  grandfather  were  both  clergymen.  About  the  same 
time  there  were  Jesuit  priests  named  Beveridge  connected  with 
the  College  of  Douay,  and  a  Colonel  or  Count  Beveridge, 
who  appears  to  have  been  a  foreign  officer  in  the  service  of  Wil- 
liam III.  The  late  Senator  Albert  J.  Beveridge  said  he  had  seen 
the  name  of  a  Beveridge  on  the  walls  of  one  of  the  prison 
rooms  of  London  Tower  where  the  prisoner  was  confined 
for  obstinacy  in  religious  opinions." 

83 


Somonauk  Church 

The  name  first  appears  in  the  Scottish  records  in  the  15th 
century  in  the  counties  of  Firth,  Fife  and  Kinross  on  the  east 
coast.  The  name  at  first  was  spelled  in  various  ways,  Bevendge 
and   Belfrage  being  the   most  common   variations  and   fre- 
quently used  for  the  same  individual.  Since  about   1700  the 
name  has  been  as  now,  Beveridge.  There  is  good  reason  to 
think  the  name  is  of  Flemish  origin,  as  there  was  a  Flemish 
colony  in  Perth  where  the  name  was  first  found,  and  the  name 
was  soon  common  here  among  the  weavers  of  the  inland  towns 
and  the  fishers,  traders  and  saltmakers  of  the  coast.  The  prefix 
"bever"  is  common  in  Holland.  One  family  of  Bevendges  has 
a  crest  in  which  a  beaver's  head  has  a  prominent  place,  suggest- 
ing that  the  name  may  have  been  beaver-ridge,  meaning  beaver 

hill. 

The  earliest  authentic  records  of  the  family  so  far  discov- 
ered are  in  the  parish  records  of  Aucterrnuchty,  County  Fife, 
where  we  find  that  on  August  22,   1718,  John  Lourie  and 
Ann   Gilmore   were   married.   In    1721    we   find   that   Janet 
Lourie,  daughter  of  John  Lourie  and  Ann  Gilmore,  was  bap- 
tized   There  are  also  the  records  of  the  baptizing  of  seven 
other  children  of  this  family.  March  2,   1745,  we  have  this 
record  in  the  neighboring  town  of  Strathmiglo:  "George  Bev- 
eridge, weaver  in  this  parish,  and  Janet  Lourie,  daughter  of 
John  Lourie,  tenant  in  Galoway,   were  proclaimed  in  mar- 
riage." To  George  Beveridge  and  Janet  Lourie  were  born  four 
children.  We  do  not  have  Ae  exact  dates  of  their  births,  but 
from  their  ages  at  the  time  of  their  deaths  it  would  appear  that 
Matthew  was  born  in   1750,  Andrew  in   1752,  and  Ann  in 
1755    Another  daughter,  who  never  left  Scotland,  married  a 
man  named  Thompson.  Matthew  never  left  Scotland,  but  lived 
and  died  in  Strathmiglo,  following  the  trade  of  a  weaver  all 

his  life. 

We  have  no  record  of  the  birth  or  birthplace  of  George 
Beveridge,  but  in  a  letter  from  a  Mrs.  Miller  of  Columbia, 

84 


The  Beveridge  Family 

Ohio,  a  descendant  of  his  eldest  son  Matthew,  it  is  stated  that 
his  father's  name  was  Matthew,  and  that  Matthew's  father  was 
George  Beveridge.  This  was  following  the  old  Scottish  cus- 
tom of  naming  the  eldest  son  for  his  paternal  grandfather.  We 
have  no  record  of  the  death  of  George  Beveridge,  but  it  was 
when  his  children  were  young,  for  we  have  the  record  of  the 
marriage  of  his  widow  to  George  Fotheringham  in  1762.  Janet 
Fotheringham,  their  only  daughter,  came  to  this  country  and 
married  the  Reverend  Thomas  Beveridge,  who  may  have  been 
a  distant  relative  of  her  mother's  first  husband.  They  had  a 
large  number  of  descendants,  including  the  late  Mrs.  G.  H. 
Robertson,  of  Sandwich,  Illinois. 

The  Beveridges  while  in  Scotland  were  all  weavers.  The 
little  town  of  Strathmiglo  was  a  town  of  weavers,  and  the 
Beveridges  were  good  weavers,  for  the  same  old  parish  records 
show  that  sums  of  money  were  paid  to  members  of  the  family 
for  the  best  woven  cloth.  Some  of  the  weaving  of  great-grand- 
father Andrew  (1)  Beveridge  is  in  possession  of  various  mem- 
bers of  the  family  and,  while  it  is  more  than  one  hundred 
years  old,  it  would  even  now  be  considered  very  good  fabric. 
The  house  in  which  George  Beveridge  lived  in  Strathmiglo 
is  still  standing  with  his  initials  "G.  B."  cut  in  the  stone  over 
the  door.  Over  another  door  are  the  initials  of  his  son,  Matthew. 
We  have  no  record  of  the  death  of  George  Fotheringham, 
but  in  1 774,  twelve  years  after  her  second  marriage,  his  widow 
came  to  this  country  with  her  son,  Andrew   (1)   Beveridge, 
then  twenty-two  years  of  age,  and  her  daughters,  Ann,  nine- 
teen, and  Janet,  eleven.  They  were  on  the  water  eleven  weeks 
bound  for  Boston,  but  the  port  was  blockaded  by  the  British 
fleet  and  they  landed  at  Marblehead.  Then  this  mother  with 
her  family  walked  the  entire  length  of  Massachusetts  to  Cam- 
bridge, New  York.  Much  of  this  country  was  at  that  time 
little  more  than  a  wilderness.  The  mother  probably  lived  the 
rest  of  her  life  in  or  near  Cambridge,  where  she  died  October 

85 


Somonauk  Church 

18,  1802.  Her  tombstone  in  the  old  Cambridge  (New  York) 
cemetery  is  well  preserved  after  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 

years. 

Tradition  says  that  two  cousins  of  Andrew  Beveridge  came 
over  at  the  same  time,  but  they  went  to  Baltimore.  Senator 
Albert  J.  Beveridge  is  believed  to  be  descended  from  one  of 
these  cousins. 

Ann  Beveridge  married  James  Small  soon  after  coming  to 
this  country,  and  they  have  more  than  one  thousand  descen- 
dants, many  of  whom  have  intermarried  with  descendants  of 
her  brother  Andrew. 

Andrew,  the  son  of  George  and  Janet  Lourie  Beveridge,  at 
first  lived  near  Coila,  New  York,  where  he  had  a  farm  and 
worked  at  his  trade  of  weaving.  As  he  came  to  this  country 
at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  it  is  not  strange 
that  his  sympathy  was  with  the  British.  One  story  is  that  he  was 
in  the  battle  of  Bennington,  was  wounded  and  was  the  last  to 
leave  the  field.  Another  story  is  that  he  started  to  join  the  Brit- 
ish army  but  was  captured  before  he  reached  it.  At  all 
events,  the  State  of  New  York  confiscated  the  property  of  the 
British  sympathizers  and  he  lost  his  farm,  which  was  secured 
by  his  brother-in-law,  James  Small.  This  so  angered  him  that 
he  said  he  would  go  away  so  far  he  would  never  see  them 
again.  He  seems  to  have  gone  to  Ryegate,  Vermont,  where  he 
lived  for  three  years.  Later  he  secured  a  farm  near  West  Heb- 
ron, where  he  lived  for  the  rest  of  his  life,  and  where  he  died 
March  27,  1835. 

It  is  difficult  at  this  time  to  estimate  the  character  of  Andrew 
Beveridge.  He  lived  in  a  stern  and  hard  age,  when  the  lines  of 
church  and  state  were  more  sharply  drawn  than  now. 

John  L.  Beveridge,  who  was  eleven  years  old  at  the  time  of 
his  grandfather's  death,  remembered  him  as  a  stern,  silent  old 
man  with  little  sense  of  humor.  He  seems  to  have  had  a  strong, 
rugged  constitution,  inflexibility  of  purpose,  and  strong  convic- 

86 


The  Beveridge  Family 

tions.   A  portion   of  the   following  letter,   which   is  all   that 
remains  of  one  written  by  him  in  1816  to  his  brother  Matthew 
in  Scotland,  would  indicate  that  he  was  a  man  who  thought 
much  and  said  little. 

Andrew  Beveridge  to  Matthew  Beveridge 
"Dear  Brother: 

"I  received  yours  about   the   middle   of   Nov.   I   am   glad 
to  hear  of  your  welfare.  I  am  in  ordinary  health  but  frail 
Our  sisters  and  families  are  well.  Ann  has  19  grand-children, 
Jennette,  1  son  and  two  daughters,  her  son  is  at  Divinity  Hall 
with  Mr.  Anderson  which  he  went  to  in  1815. 

"My  two  oldest  are  married.  I  have  nothing  in  particular  to 
write  to  you.  I  have  great  reason  of  thankfulness  for  the  way 
I  have  been  led  through  this  Wilderness. 

"May  it  be  your  concern  and  mine  to  be  making  advances 
in  holiness,  to  be  as  the  morning  light  that  shineth  more  and 
more  to  the  perfect  day. 

"The  first  Acquaintance  I  had  in  this  country  are  most  of 
them  dead.  I  have  seen  Mr.  Donaldson  from  Cooper  of  Angus 
who  came  over  last  summer,  on  inquiring  of  him  for  several 
people  most  of  them  was  dead  before  his  remembrance,  except 
Mr.  Watson  of  Arle.  This  is  saying  to  me  be  ye  also  ready.  It 
was  very  sickly  and  mortal  in  this  land  in  the  spring  of  1813 
My  oldest  daughter  died  of  the  fever  the  15th  day  of  March 
She  was  24  years  of  age,  many  others  died  in  the  prime  of  life. 
I  he  Lord  has  been  pleading  a  controversy  with  this  land  for 
many  years.  He  is  seeming  to  be  saying,  they  will  not  see  but 
they  shall  see. 

"Some  of  our  cities  was  visited  with  the  pestilence,  and  then 
we  were  visited  with  the  scourge  of  war  and  now  if  not  the 
famine,  yet  with  a  scarcity. 

"The  lord  in  just  displeasure  turneth  a  fruitful  land  into 
barrens  for  our  sins  that  liveth  therein.  Our  wheat  crop  has  in 
a  great  measure  failed  the  two  last  seasons,  and  the  last  season 

87 


Somonauk  Church 

the  Indian  corn  almost  entirely,  which  is  the  main  support  of 

the  poor. 

"It  is  feared  it  will  be  hard  with  many  before  next  harvest. 
Last  summer  was  remarkably  threatening.  It  was  cold  and  wet 
till  about  the  first  of  June,  and  after  that  was  excessive  dry 
and  cold.  We  had  frost  every  month  of  summer  (you  are  not 
to  understand  me  that  it  was  frost  all  the  time)  so  there  was 
great  scarcity  of  water  for  man  and  beast.  The  pasture  was 
dried  up.  There  is  very  little  fodder  for  the  cattle,  so  they 
sold  very  low  last  fall,  yet  for  all  these  things  that  complaint 
may  be  taken  up,  'Yet  ye  have  not  returned  unto  me  saith  the 
Lord.'  All  manner  of  wickedness  prevails  among  us. 

"The  two  that  is  the  most  hurtful  to  the  community  is  rob- 
bing and  housebreaking  in  our  cities.  We  have  little  or  no 
money  in  circulation,  but  paper  counterfeiting  is  carried  on 
to  a  great  degree." 

Robert  (3)  Graham,  who  was  eleven  years  old  in  1816,  told 
his  children  of  the  severity  and  unfruitf ulness  of  that  year. 

The  church  certificate,  brought  by  Andrew  Beveridge  from 
Scotland,  reads: 

"Pathead,  May  19,  1774.  The  bearer,  Andrew  Beveridge, 
an  unmarried  person,  a  member  of  this  congregation  and  in 
full  communion,  free  of  public  scandal  and  ground  of  church 
censure  known  to  hinder  his  reception  into  any  Christian  con- 
gregation where  Providence  shall  order  his  lot  and  partaking 
of  church  privileges  is  qualified, 

"Thos.  Thompson,  Muil  (Minister), 
"is  attested  by         Robert  Chalmers,  Sess   (Session)." 
The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  certificate  of  recommendation 
brought  from  Ryegate,  Vermont,  when  he  returned  to  West 
Hebron: 

"To   all   whom   it   may   concern:   This   may  certify,   that 
Andrew  Beveridge,  the  bearer  hereof,  came  to  this  part  of  the 

88 


The  Beveridge  Family 

country  in  October  or  November,  1777,  and  lived  with  me  a 
year,  and  afterwards  lived  in  different  places  in  the  neighbor- 
hood about  two  years  more,  that  he  always  behaved  himself 
as  a  sober,  honest,  industrious  man  and  maintained  a  good 
moral  character  while  he  lived  in  this  neighborhood,  and  was 
under  no  scandal  or  church  censure,  and  for  anything  I  know 
may  be  admitted  into  any  society  or  congregation. 

"James  Whitelaw,  Ryegate,  Vt.,  May  28,  1787." 
He  also  brought  a  second  certificate  from  Ryegate,  Vermont, 
which  says:  "This  is  to  certify  that  the  above  named  Andrew 
Beveridge  lived  near  three  years  in  this  neighborhood  and, 
though  I  was  not  personally  acquainted  with  him,  by  all  the 
information  I  can  get  his  character  was  unexceptional  in  both 
civil  and  religious  matters.       Josiah  Page,  Justice  Peace." 

These  documents  indicate  the  value  placed  on  character  one 
hundred  and  fifty  years  ago.  When  the  State  set  the  standard 
of  religious  belief  for  its  subjects,  it  took  undaunted  courage 
for  one  to  stand  by  his  honest  convictions  if  they  did  not  ac- 
cord with  the  State  creed. 

The  Associate  Presbyterian  Church  of  West  Hebron  was 
organized  in  the  house  of  Andrew  Beveridge  in  1799,  the 
first  three  elders  being  Andrew  Beveridge,  Hugh  Moncrief 
and  William  McClellan,  names  eloquent  of  sterling  worth 
and  high  traditions. 

While  he  had  a  farm,  which  is  now  owned  by  a  great- 
grandson,  Andrew  Beveridge  worked  at  the  trade  of  a  weaver 
all  his  life.  John  C.  Beveridge,  who  was  only  nine  years  old 
when  Andrew  died,  remembered  seeing  him  at  his  loom,  and, 
as  was  said  before,  he  was  a  good  weaver.  It  is  said  that  when 
his  wedding  day  came  it  was  raining,  and  so  he  went  back  to 
his  loom  and  was  not  married  until  the  next  day. 

ANDREW   (1)    BEVERIDGE,   born  in    1752   at  Strath- 
miglo,  Scotland ;  died  West  Hebron,  New  York,  1835;  mar- 

89 


Somonauk  Church 

ried  Isabel  Cummings,  January  23,  1784,  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  Cummings  who  at  that  time  lived  in  Putnam,  Wash- 
ington County,  New  York,  but  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life 
^Cambridge,  where  he  was  buried.  Mr.  Cummings  came 
from  Scotland  previous  to  the  Revolutionary  War.  His  other 
known  children  were  James,  who  married  Mrs.  Jemima  Hoy; 
Robert,  Alexander  and  Ann,  who  married  John  Livingston 
of  Hebron. 
Children: 

i.  George  (2),  born  Mar.  16,  1785;  died  at  Somonauk, 

May  10,  1870. 

ii.  Thomas,  born  Feb.  15,  1787;  died  in  New  York,  Feb. 

2,    1869;    married    first,    Nov.    11,    1812,    Ann 

Shields;  second,  Mary  Hoy;  born  Mar.  15,  1790. 

iii.   Jennet,  born  Jan.  6,   1789;    died  Mar.   15,   1813,  in 

Hebron,  N.  Y.;  unmarried, 
iv.  James,  born  Feb.  28,  1791;  died  in  Hebron  in  1881; 

married  Janet  Lamb, 
v.   Alexander,  born  May  4,  1793.  (See  page  98.) 
vi.  John,  born  May  31,   1795;   died  in  East  Greenwich, 

July  30,  1878;  married  Jane  McNeil, 
vii.   Ann,  born  Oct.    16,    1797;    died  Feb.    16,    1858,  in 

Hebron;  unmarried, 
viii.   Matthew,  born  Feb.  2,   1800;    died  in  Hebron,   May 
25,  1875;  married  Elizabeth  Hutton. 
ix.   Andrew,  born  May  26,  1802.  (See  page  101.) 
x.   David,  born  July  23,  1805;  died  in  Hebron,  Sept.  12, 
1879;  married  Elizabeth  Shaw. 
The  average  age  of  these  eight  sons  was  over  eighty  years. 
Three  of  them,  George,  James  and  Alexander,  served  for  a 
short  time  during  the  War  of  1812.  Three  of  the  grandsons 
were  in  the  Civil  War.  John  L.  Beveridge,  son  of  George,  was 

90 


The  Beveridge  Family 

major  of  the  8th  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  later  colonel  of  the 
17th  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  breveted  brigadier-general  at  the 
close  of  the  war.  Alexander,  son  of  Alexander,  died  in  the 
service  at  Alexandria,  Virginia.  The  number  of  the  family 
who  were  in  the  World  War  is  not  known,  but  two  at  least 
sleep  in  Flanders  Field.  All  of  the  eight  brothers  married  and 
left  children,  but  the  family  of  John  has  no  living  descendants. 
The  number  of  the  descendants  of  Andrew  Beveridge  is  now 
very  large,  extending  to  at  least  the  seventh  generation.  They 
are  widely  scattered,  being  found  all  over  this  country,  and 
in  foreign  countries. 

It  may  be  said  of  the  family  in  America,  as  has  been  said 
of  the  family  in  Scotland,  "It  lays  claim  to  no  great  saint 
and  no  great  sinner,"  but  they  are  of  the  sturdy  type  which 
has  always  formed  the  moral  backbone  in  any  community 
in  which  they  have  been  placed,  and  of  the  type  of  citizens 
which  has  helped  to  make  America  great. 

GEORGE  (2)  BEVERIDGE,  the  eldest  child  of  Andrew 
( 1 ),  was  born  in  the  township  of  Hebron,  Washington  County 
New  York,  March  15,  1785;   died  at  his  home  in  the  town- 
ship of  Somonauk,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  May  10,  1870- 
married,  in  the  township  of  Cambridge,  now  Jackson,  Washl 
ington  County,  New  York,  March  24,   1812,  Ann,  daughter 
of  James  and  Agnes  (Robertson)  Hoy,  born  in  the  township 
of   Cambridge,   Washington   County,   New  York,   June    17, 
1788;    died  in  her  home   in   Somonauk  township,    De   Kalb 
County,  Illinois,  May  18,  1865.  George  Beveridge  prospected 
in  De  Kalb  County  and  purchased  the  Eastabrooks  farm  on 
Somonauk  Creek  in   1838,  four  years  before  he  brought  his 
family  to  live  in  the  double  log  cabin.  Of  their  children  the 
two  eldest  were  born  in  the  township  of  Cambridge  and  the 
others  in  the  township  of  Greenwich,   Washington   County, 
New  York. 


91 


Somonauk  Church 

Children: 

i.  Jennett  (3),  born  May  5,  1813;  died  Dec.  2,  1901; 
married  Oct.  23,   1837,  James  Henry.  (See  page 
149.) 
ii.   Isabel,  born  1814;  died  Nov.  23,  1814. 
iii.  Isabel,   born   Nov.    17,    1815;    died   Apr.    15,    1894; 
married   Oct.   29,    1838,   William   French.    (See 
page  121.) 
iv.  James  Hoy,  born  Dec.  3,  1817. 

v.  Andrew  M.,  born  Jan.  20,  1820;  died  Jan.  6,  1889; 
married  Dec.  22,  1848,  Sarah,  a  daughter  of 
Aretas  Loomis,  of  Bennington,  Vt.;  graduated 
about  1844  from  Jefferson  College,  Canonsbury, 
Pa.;  member  class  1849,  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary;  pastor  Presbyterian  Church,  Hoosic 
Falls,  N.  Y.,  1851-1858;  pastor  for  many  years 
of  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Lansingburgh,  N.  Y. 
vi.  Thomas  George,  born  Apr.  9,  1822;  died  Apr.  24, 
1859;  married  Apr.  9,  1851,  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  William  and  Margaret  Irwin.  (See  page  159.) 
vii.  John  Lourie,  born  July  6,  1824. 

viii.  Agnes,    born    June    17,    1829;    died    July    9,    1909; 
~  married  Feb.  18,  1851;  Alexander  R.  Patten.  (See 
page  221.) 
ix.  Mary,  born  Apr.  25,  1831;  died  May  28,  1833. 
George   Beveridge  and  his  wife,   Ann    (Hoy)    Beveridge, 
who  were  destined  to  take  so  vital  a  part  in  establishing  what 
is  now  the  Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church,  were  born, 
reared  and  married  in  the  first  American  home  of  the  family, 
Washington   County,   New  York.   Here   their   nine   children 
were  born,  two  of  whom  died  while  very  young.  Six  children 
came  west  with  their  parents  in  1842,  two  others  following 
soon  after.  One,  Andrew  M.  (3),  remained  in  the  East.  By 
his  will  George  Beveridge  devised  the  sum  of  ten  dollars  to 

92 


Rev.  Andrew  M.  B  eve  ridge 


Mm 


John  C.  Beveridge 


Mrs.  Andrew  M.  Beveridge 
(Sarah  Loo  mis) 


Mrs.  John  C.  Beveridge 
(Mary  Ann  McC leery) 


The  Beveridge  Family 

each  grandson  bearing  the  name  George,  and  five  dollars  to 
all  others.  Henry  J.  Patten,  born  after  the  will  was  drawn, 
and  consequently  omitted  from  the  list  of  beneficiaries,  re- 
members that  his  mother  gave  him  a  pig  as  a  consolation. 

JAMES  HOY  (3)  BEVERIDGE  was  born  in  Greenwich, 
Washington  County,  New  York,  December  3,  1817;  died 
January  29,  1896,  at  his  farm  home  in  De  Kalb  County, 
Illinois.  He  married  Elizabeth  A.,  a  daughter  of  Piatt  and 
Lois  Disbrow.  She  was  born  August  24,  1826,  at  Sherman, 
Fairfield  County,  Connecticut;  died  October  22,  1905.  Eliza- 
beth was  descended  from  John  Disbrow  who  was  an  ..early 
settler  in  Stamford,  Connecticut,  and  is  supposed  to  have  been 
the  eldest  son  of  Major-General  John  Disbrow,  an  officer  in 
Cromwell's  army,  who  married  Jane  Cromwell.  This  John 
Disbrow  married  Sarah  Knapp,  and  they  had  a  son,  Thomas 

Disbrow,  who  married  Mercy  Jones,  the  widow  of 

Nichols.  Their  son,  Thomas  Disbrow,  married  Abigail  God- 
ding and  they  had  seven  children,  of  whom  the  fifth  was 
Caleb,  born  August  2,  1719.  He  married,  November  19,  1740, 
Sarah  Davis,  and  died  May  14,  1812.  Asa  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  War.  He  married  Charity  Piatt.  Their  sixth 
child  was  Piatt  Disbrow,  who  married  Lois  Pepper  in  1804. 
The  children  of  Piatt  and  Lois  (Pepper)  Disbrow  were: 
Willis,  Joseph,  Davis,  Dimond,  Stephen  Pepper,  Flora  L., 
Levi  and  Elizabeth  A. 
Children: 

i.   Gertrude    (4),   born    Aug.    15,    1850;    married   first 

O.  A.  Thompson,  second  Rufus  E.  Thompson. 
ji.  Infant  daughter,  born  and  died  May  9,  1851. 
iii.  James  Henry,  born  July  2,  1852;  died  Sept.  16,  1852. 
iv.  Lois  Annie,  born  Feb.  8,  1854;  died  Mar.  5,  1864. 
v.   Merritt  Hoy,  born  June   17,    1869;    married  Isabella 
Robinson;    born  June   22,    1877;    died   April   3, 
1923.  Merritt  Hoy  retains  the  homestead. 
93 


Somonauk  Church 

James  Hoy  Beveridge  was  educated  in  the  public  school  and 
at  the  Cambridge  Academy  in  New  York.  In  Illinois,  he  at- 
tended Granville  Academy  and  Mt.  Morris  Seminary.  His 
life  was  much  more  than  ordinarily  eventful.  His  son,  Merritt 
Hoy,  tells  us  that  his  father  came  to  Somonauk  in  1841  and 
took  a  claim  adjoining  his  father's  claim  on  the  north.  About 
1848  Mr.  Beveridge  and  his  brother-in-law,  Alexander  R. 
Patten,  opened  a  store  at  Freeland  Corners,  and  did  a  good 
business  for  a  frontier  country  store.  It  was  a  boon  to  the  set- 
tlers. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beveridge  began  house- 
keeping on  the  farm.  In  1849  he  was  elected  one  of  the  asso- 
ciate justices  of  the  county  and  in  1852  was  elected  assessor. 

In  1854  he  was  one  of  the  leading  spirits  in  calling  the 
Anti-Kansas-Nebraska  Bill  Convention  held  in  Sycamore.  In 
1856  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  first  Republican  state  convention 
held  at  Bloomington. 

In  1852  he  was  elected  circuit  clerk  of  the  county  and  in 
1856  was  reelected.  His  residence  was  at  the  county  seat  during 
this  period  of  eight  years. 

In  1864  Mr.  Beveridge  was  elected  State  Treasurer,  and 
the  following  spring  removed  to  Springfield. 

In  1867  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  State  House  Commis- 
sioners and  was  their  secretary.  He  served  on  this  commission 
from  the  beginning  of  the  construction  of  the  State  House  to 
its  completion — from  1867  to  1878.  He  was  the  able  and 
active  secretary  of  the  Lincoln  Memorial  Association  of  the 
state,  which  built  the  Lincoln  Memorial.  Mr.  Beveridge  made 
many  good  friends  at  the  state  capital  by  his  strict  honesty 
and  helpfulness.  At  one  time  he  saved  a  prominent  man  from 
financial  embarrassment  by  timely  assistance.  Afterwards  when 
this  man  was  on  a  safe  financial  basis  he  insisted  on  Mr.  Bev- 
^ridge's  acceptance  of  a  gold  watch  in  appreciation  of  his  help 

94 


Thomas  G.   Beveridge 


Mrs.   Thomas  G.  Beveridge 
(Elizabeth  Irwin) 


Simon  N.  and  Edward  M.  Patten 


Jennie  M.  Patten 


The  Beveridge  Family 

when  in  great  need.  This  watch  is  now  in  the  possession  of  his 
son  Hoy,  who  prizes  it  highly. 

In  the  summer  of  1879  Mr.  Beveridge  returned  to  his  farm 
at  Somonauk,  where  he  gave  special  attention  to  the  breeding 
and  raising  of  Jersey  cattle. 

During  his  retirement  from  public  service  he  was  not  per- 
mitted to  be  wholly  free  from  public  responsibility.  His  opinion 
was  sought  on  important  matters  in  the  community  and  state, 
and  he  was  frequently  called  to  serve  as  delegate  to  important 
conventions. 

Mr.  Beveridge  united  with  the  Associate  Church  at  Somon- 
auk on  profession,  in  1849,  as  the  record  shows.  At  Springfield 
Mrs.  Beveridge  and  her  husband  united  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  After  coming  back  to  the  farm  in  1879  they  took 
membership  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Sandwich.  When 
Mr.  Beveridge  died  in  1  896,  the  Reverend  Mr.  Nye  of  Sand- 
wich conducted  the  funeral  services,  assisted  by  the  Reverend 
A.  G.  Hastings  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is 
buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

JOHN  LOURIE    (3)    BEVERIDGE  was  born  in  Green- 
wich, Washington  County,  July  6,  1824;  died  in  Hollywood, 
California,  May  3,  1910;  married  January  20,  1848,  in  Chi- 
cago, Helen  M.  Judson,  daughter  of  Philo  Judson. 
Children  : 

i.   Alia  May  (4),  married  Samuel  B.  Raymond. 
Children : 

i.  Lourie  Raymond  (5),  deceased, 
ii.   William  Raymond. 

iii.   Helen    Raymond,    married    Shirly    High;     de- 
ceased, 
ii.   Philo  Judson,  married,  first,  Ella  Reutzer. 
Children: 

i.  Kuhne  (5). 
ii.   Ray. 

95 


Somonauk  Church 

Children  by  his  second  wife,  Daedda  Wilcox: 
i.   Marion  (5). 
ii.   Daedda. 
iii.  Phyllis. 
John  Lourie  Beveridge's  boyhood  was  spent  on  a  farm.  He 
accompanied  his  father  on  his  first  trip  west,  returning  with 
him,  and  in  the  spring  of    1842  came  with  his  parents  to 
Somonauk. 

Although  the  opportunities  for  higher  education  in  the  West 
at  that  time  were  very  limited,  during  the  succeeding  three 
years,  by  great  perseverance,  he  succeeded  in  getting  a  year  and 
a  half  of  excellent  schooling  at  Mt.  Morris  Seminary.  In  the 
autumn  of  1845  he  went  to  Tennessee.  There  he  received 
further  training  through  teaching  school  as  well  as  by  observ- 
ing the  ways  of  life  in  that  community.  He  admired  many 
traits  of  Southern  character,  but  never  learned  to  accept  the 
institution  of  slavery.  In  the  meantime  he  read  law  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar. 

Returning  to  the  North  in  December,  1847,  he  married, 
and  the  following  spring  with  his  wife  returned  to  Tennessee. 
In  the  autumn  of  1849,  either  through  bad  management  or 
through  the  dishonesty  of  an  associate,  he  lost  what  money 
he  had  accumulated  and  was  left  in  debt.  It  took  him  two 
years  to  wipe  out  this  debt.  He  returned  to  Somonauk,  Illinois, 
and  soon  after,  with  his  wife  and  two  children,  settled  in 
Sycamore,  the  county  seat  of  De  Kalb  County.  Here  he  en- 
tered a  law  office  and  succeeded  well. 

In  the  spring  of  1854  Mr.  Beveridge  removed  to  Evanston, 
Illinois,  and  occupied  himself  with  business  connected  with  the 
recently  founded  Northwestern  University,  of  which  his 
father-in-law  was  business  agent.  In  the  spring  of  1855  he 
opened  a  law  office  in  Chicago.  Here  he  successfully  carried  on 
his  profession  until  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War. 

Governor  Beveridge's  war  record  is  brilliant.  His  law  part- 

96 


*h*d0 


James  Hoy  Beveridgt 


Mrs.  James  Hoy  Beveridge 
(Elizabeth  A.  Disbrow) 


Jo Jm  L.  Beveridge 


Mrs.  John  L.  Beveridge 
(Helen  M.  Judson) 


The  Beveridge  Family 

ner,  General  John  F.  Farnsworth,  secured  authority  to  raise 
a  regiment,  the  8th  Illinois  Cavalry,  for  which  Beveridge  in 
a  few  days  succeeded  in  recruiting  Company  F,  he  himself 
enlisting  August  12,  1861.  In  September  he  was  unanimously 
chosen  captain  and  the  following  day  was  selected  by  the  line 
officers  to  be  second  major  of  the  regiment. 

In  October  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  join  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac.  Under  General  Stoneman,  Beveridge  was  in  the 
advance  upon  Richmond  in  1862.  Upon  the  retreat  of  the 
army  from  the  James  River,  his  battalion  was  in  the  extreme 
rear,  in  imminent  danger  from  the  shot  and  shell  of  the 
enemy.  His  was  the  only  cavalry  force  which  crossed  the  river 
at  Fredericksburg.  Major  Beveridge  led  his  regiment  at  Get- 
tysburg, Williamsport,  Boonsboro,  Funkstown  and  between 
the  Rappahannock  and  Culpepper,  forty-seven  engagements  in 
all.  In  November,  1863,  he  was  selected  by  General  Farns- 
worth to  recruit  and  organize  the  17th  Illinois  Cavalry,  of 
which  he  was  commissioned  colonel,  January  28,  1864.  On 
February  12  he  was  ordered  to  report  to  General  Rosecrans  in 
Missouri.  At  the  head  of  his  regiment  he  scouted  through 
Missouri  during  a  series  of  engagements  with  the  guerrillas  and 
bushwhackers.  Their  final  engagement  took  place  under  Gen- 
eral Pleasanton,  when  they  drove  the  rebel,  General  Price,  out 
of  the  state  and  captured  a  third  of  his  army. 

After  the  surrender  of  Lee,  Colonel  Beveridge  remained  in 
service  in  order  to  close  out  all  the  military  stores  in  Missouri 
south  of  the  river  except  those  in  St.  Louis,  and  to  muster  out 
the  troops  in  Missouri.  In  October,  1865,  he  was  ordered  by 
the  Secretary  of  War  to  preside  over  a  military  commission 
in  St.  Louis  for  the  trial  of  rebel  offenders  against  property 
and  persons  of  the  United  States.  He  was  mustered  out  of  the 
service  February  6,  1866.  The  previous  year,  on  March  7, 
1865,  he  had  been  breveted  brigadier-general  for  gallant  and 
meritorious  conduct. 

97 


Somonauk  Church 

Returning  to  civil  life,  he  resumed  his  law  practice  in  Chi- 
cago. In  the  summer  of  1866  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Cook 
County  and  served  with  credit  a  two-year  term.  In  November, 
1870,  he  was  elected  State  Senator  from  the  25th  district 
(Chicago).  After  serving  nearly  a  year  as  State  Senator  he 
received  the  nomination  for  Congressman  at  large  on  the 
Republican  ticket,  and  was  elected  in  November,  1871. 

Before  his  term  expired  General  Beveridge  was  elected 
Lieutenant-Governor,  November,  1872.  Governor  Oglesby 
having  been  elected  United  States  Senator,  Beveridge  became 
Governor.  Through  these  changes  in  official  life  he  had  the 
extraordinary  experience  of  holding  in  succession  the  offices  of 
Congressman,  Lieutenant-Governor  and  Governor,  all  within 
the  space  of  three  weeks.  At  the  end  of  his  term  as  Governor, 
he  returned  to  Chicago  and  resumed  the  practice  of  law.  Later 
he  served  a  term  as  U.  S.  sub-treasurer  in  Chicago  by  appoint- 
ment of  President  Arthur.  "Governor  Beveridge  possessed  the 
courage  of  his  convictions  and  never  dreamed  of  sacrificing 
principle  to  popularity,"  says  Moses,  in  his  history  of  Illinois. 
"His  great  desire  was  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office  for  the 
best  interests  of  the  state." 

Governor  Beveridge  lived  for  many  of  his  later  years  in 
Evanston,  finally  removing  to  Hollywood,  California,  where 
he  died  May  3,  1910.  He  is  buried  in  Rosehill  Cemetery  in 
Chicago. 

ALEXANDER  (2)  BEVERIDGE,  the  fourth  son  of 
Andrew  (1),  born  May  4,  1793;  died  June  2,  1874;  married 
Sarah,  a  daughter  of  Robert  (2)  and  Mary  McClellan.  John 
C.  was  their  third  son. 

Children: 

i.  Andrew  (3). 
ii.  John  C,  born  Feb.  3,  1826. 

98 


The  Beveridge  Family 

JOHN  C.  (3)  BEVERIDGE,  third  son  of  Alexander  (2) 
and  Sarah  (McClellan)  Beveridge,  was  born  in  North  Green- 
wich,  Washington  County,  New  York,  February  3,  1826. 
His  father  was  one  of  the  eight  sons  of  Andrew  (1)  and 
Isabel   (Cummings)   Beveridge. 

When  John  was  six  years  of  age  the  family  moved  to 
Hebron.  In  his  early  life  he  worked  on  the  farm.  His  education 
was  obtained  in  the  district  school,  and  in  West  Hebron 
Academy,  where  he  was  for  a  short  time. 

In  1862  John  C.  Beveridge  came  to  Illinois  and  for  a  time 
lived  with  his  uncle,  Andrew  (2)  Beveridge,  near  Freeland 
Corners.  During  this  period  he  purchased  160  acres  from"  his 
brother  Andrew  (3)  Beveridge,  who  was  living  in  New  York. 
Andrew  (3)  had  located  this  land  in  Victor  township  on  a 
soldier's  warrant  several  years  before.  At  the  time  of  the  pur- 
chase all  there  was  on  the  land  was  a  small  cabin  and  a  single 
locust  tree.  Some  years  later  he  purchased  40  acres  adjoining 
on  the  north. 

In  January,  1865,  John  C.  Beveridge  married  Mary  Ann. 
McCleery,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Jean  (Thompson)  Mc- 
Cleery.  They  lived  in  the  little  cabin  for  a  few  years,  but  in 
1871  Mr.  Beveridge  built  a  good  roomy,  substantial  house  and 
in  rapid  succession  added  serviceable  outbuildings.  Being  a  good 
carpenter,  he  did  much  of  the  work  himself.  He  was  a  skillful 
farmer  and,  specializing  in  hog-raising,  it  was  in  that  industry 
that  he  accumulated  the  greater  part  of  his  wealth.  He  held 
several  important  positions  in  his  township,  serving  successively 
as  assessor,  repeatedly  as  supervisor;  and  was  school  treasurer 

for  Victor  township  from   1874  until  his  death  in   1906 a 

period  of  thirty-two  years.   He   was  secretary  of   the   Victor 
Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company  for  twenty  years. 

John  C.  Beveridge  lived  forty-four  years  in  Illinois  and 
lived  all  this  time  on  his  farm.  He  died  January  3,  1906,  and 
was  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beveridge 

99 


Somonauk  Church 

were    members    of     the     United    Presbyterian     Church     of 
Somonauk. 
Children: 

i.  Alexander  William    (4),   born  Feb.   2,    1866;    mar- 
ried, first,  Jennie  C.  Reed;  born  in  Canada,  Sept. 
11,    1867;    died  near  Waterman,   111.,   Feb.   27, 
1897. 
Child: 

i.  Bruce  (5). 
He  married  second,   Mary   Maxwell,   born   Feb.    10, 
1866,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons  and  one  daughter, 
ii.  James  McCleery,  born  Nov.  23,  1867;  married,  Dec. 
28,  1899,  Mary  Ella  Hays;  born  in  Canada,  July 
7,  1873. 
Children: 

i.  Ralph    (5),   a   graduate   of   Ripon   College   in 

1924;  living  in  Chicago. 
ii.   Helen,  now  a  student  in  Monmouth  College, 
iii.  Albert  Elmer,  born  July  3,   1871;   died  in  Chicago, 

Apr.  30,  1904. 
iv.  George,  born  Aug.   19,   1874;   died  Oct.  3,   1907,  in 
Reinbeck,   Iowa.   He   was   a   young   physician   of 
more  than  ordinary  ability;  unmarried, 
v.  Rea,  born  Oct.  30,  1876;  married  Bertha  McGeoch; 
born  Oct.  24,  1877.  He  is  a  farmer  and  is  living 
at  Sheldon,  Wis. 
vi.  May,  born  Oct.  30,  1876;  living  at  Frenchberg,  Ky.; 
engaged  in  vocational  teaching;    formerly  taught 
in  Knoxville  College,  Knoxville,  Tenn. 
vii.   Margaret,   born   Dec.    18,    1878;    living   in   French- 
berg, Ky.;    engaged  in  vocational  teaching;    for- 
merly  taught    in   Knoxville    College,    Knoxville, 
Tenn. 

100 


The  Beveridge  Family 

viii.  Archibald,   born  Jan.   29,    1885;    died  in   Chippewa 
Falls,  Wis.,  Feb.  1,  1921;  married  Alice  Hess,  of 
Somonauk  village.  She  is  teaching  music  in  Peid- 
mond  College,  Demorest,  Ga. 
ANDREW  (2)  BEVERIDGE,  the  ninth  child  of  Andrew 
(1)  and  Isabella  (Cummings)  Beveridge,  born  May  26,  1802, 
in  Hebron,  Washington  County,  New  York;    died  July  3,' 
1883,  at  his  home  in  Somonauk  township,  De  Kalb  County, 
Illinois;  married  May  17,  1841,  Jane  Martin;  born  May  16,' 
1821,  in  Argyle,  Washington  County,  New  York;    died  at 
her  home  in  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota,  October  30,    1905. 
Their  children  were  all  born  in  West  Hebron.  Mrs.  Beveridge 
was  brought  to  Somonauk  for  burial  and  laid  beside  her  hus- 
band in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 
Children: 

i.  Isabella  (3),  born  Jan.  29,  1842;  died  Feb.  14,  1849, 

at  Peoria,  111. 
ii.  Margaret,  born  June  3,   1843;   died  Oct.  27,   1856, 
at   the   home    in    Somonauk   township,    De    Kalb 
County,  111. 
iii.  Andrew,  born  Dec.  2,  1844. 

iv.  Sarah  Isabella,  born  Aug.  16,  1849;  died  in  her  home 
at  Orland,  Ind.,  Feb.  9,  1874;  married,  Nov.  7, 
1872,  Samuel  Carter  van  Antwerp;  born  Mar.  21, 
1847;   died  Oct.  4,  1909.  They  had  no  children. 
Mr.  van  Antwerp  was  a  physician. 
Andrew  (2)  Beveridge,  with  his  family,  left  West  Hebron, 
Washington  County,  New  York,  came  to  Somonauk,  Illinois, 
in  the  spring  of   1852  and  purchased  a  farm  near  Freeland 
Corners,  where  he  lived  the  rest  of  his  life— thirty-one  years. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beveridge  at  once  identified  themselves  with  the 
Associate  Church  of  Somonauk  (now  the  United  Presbyterian) 
by  certificate.  On  February  28,   1857,  he  was  chosen  for  a 
ruling  elder,  which  office  he  held  until  his  death. 

101 


Somonauk  Church 

Agriculture  was  his  life's  occupation.  He  was  a  man  of 
kind  heart  and  true  to  his  convictions.  Dr.  William  Turner 
MorTett,  once  his  pastor,  who  lived  with  the  family  for  more 
than  a  year  before  the  first  church  manse  was  built,  paid  to  the 
home  this  beautiful  tribute :  "The  Beveridge  home  was  one  of 
the  finest  examples  of  a  Christian  home  I  have  ever  known." 

About  one  year  after  her  husband's  death  Mrs.  Beveridge 
sold  the  farm  and  house  near  Freeland  Corners  and  removed, 
with  her  son  Andrew  (3)  and  family,  to  Sioux  Falls,  South 
Dakota.  Andrew  had  secured  a  position  there.  They  invested 
their  money  in  the  thriving  young  city  and  prospered.  There 
she  spent  the  rest  of  her  life. 

ANDREW  (3)  BEVERIDGE,  born  December  2,  1844; 
died  at  his  home  in  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota,  November  9, 
1919;  married,  November  7,  1872,  in  Somonauk,  Mira  E.. 
Dewey,  of  Somonauk;  born  April  6,  1849. 

Children: 

i.  Belle  Carter  (4),  born  Aug.  27,  1873;  mar- 
ried Sept.  25,  1905,  Hayward  Marshall;  born 
July  15,  1870;  died  Apr.  25,  1923.  Since 
her  husband's  death,  Mrs.  Marshall  has  been 
living  with  her  mother.  She  is  a  talented  and  use- 
ful woman.  One  item  in  her  busy  life  is  the  care 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty  little  children  in  the 
primary  department  of  her  church, 
ii.   Agnes  Josephine,  born  Nov.   15,   1875;   died  Sept.  6,, 

1886. 
iii.  Max  Forest,  born  Dec.  13,  1878;  married  Aug.  4,. 
1900,  Harriet  Adella  Butler;  born  July  18,  1880. 
Mr.  Beveridge  was  for  some  years  in  the  banking 
business,  later  changing  to  the  real  estate  and  insur- 
ance business,  in  which  he  is  prosperous. 

102 


The  Boyd  Family 
Children: 

i.   Bertram  Butler  (5),  born  Nov.  27,  1902;  mar- 
ried Nov.    15,    1923,   Arka   Shockley;    born 
Jan.  2,  1905. 
ii.   Clifford  Marshall,  born  Feb.  11,  1907. 
iii.  Andrew  Donald,  born  Aug.  25,  1914. 
iv.   Maxine  Jane,  born  Feb.  6,  1920. 
Andrew  (3)  Beveridge  was  a  graduate  of  Monmouth  Col- 
lege in  the  middle  '60s.  While  a  student  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany A  of  the  138th  Illinois  Infantry  and  served  in  the  Civil 
War.  In  his  earlier  life  he  was  active  in  politics  and  occupied 
prominent  positions.  He  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church,  and  for  many  years  served  on  the  board 
of    trustees.    In     1890    Mr.    Beveridge,    in    company    with 
W.   C.   Hollister,   built  the   Hollister-Beveridge   Building   in 
West  Ninth  Street.  He  also  engaged  in  many  other  enterprises 
in  the  city.  Successful  in  the  real  estate  business,  his  associates 
accounted  him  one  of  the  best  posted  men  on  realty  values  in 
that  section  of  South  Dakota. 

The  Boyd  Family 

GEORGE  (1)  BOYD,  born  in  Killcon,  County  Armagh, 
Ireland,  May  17,  1795,  was  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth 
McElroy  Boyd;  died  in  Northfield,  Ohio,  May  27,  1881; 
married  in  Argyle,  New  York,  March  6,  1823,  Elizabeth 
Nelson;  born  at  that  place  March  19,  1799;  died  in  North- 
field,  Ohio,  October  18,  1882.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
(2)  Nelson,  and  wife  Mary,  daughter  of  Lieutenant  Daniel 
McCleary. 

Children:         i.   Daniel  Nelson  (2),  born  Dec.  9,  1823. 
(Portrait,  page  236.) 
ii.  John,  born  Feb.  24,  1825. 

DANIEL  NELSON  (2)  BOYD  was  born  in  Argyle,  New 
Ifork,  December  9,    1823;   died  in  Burt,  Iowa,  February  4, 

103 


Somonauk  Church 

1906;  married  first,  Nancy  Shroudy,  by  whom  he  had  one  son, 
W.  J.  (3)  Boyd,  of  Ellensburg,  Washington;  married  second, 
in  Northfield,  Ohio,  April  5,  1860,  Mrs.  Margaret  Darling 
Wallace,  who  died  in  Houston,  Minnesota.  Daniel  Nelson  (2) 
was  a  "  first  "  member  of  the  Somonauk  U.  P.  Church. 
Children  by  second  marriage: 

i.  Thomas  N.  (3),  of  Aurora,  111. 
ii.  Jennette,  who  married  John  Mesing,  of  Algona,  Iowa. 

JOHN  (2)  BOYD  was  born  in  Argyle,  Washington  County, 
New  York,  February  4,  1825;  died  June  20,  1905,  at  his 
home  in  Sandwich,  Illinois;  married  March  26,  1857,  Mary, 
a  daughter  of  Elijah  and  Agnes  Stewart,  born  in  Coitsville, 
Ohio,  October  20,  1833;  died  December  17,  1910,  at  her 
home  in  Sandwich,  Illinois.  They  were  married  by  their  pastor, 
Rev.  R.  W.  French,  at  Somonauk.  John  (2)  came  to  Somon- 
auk not  later  than  1850;  Mary  Stewart  came  with  her  parents 
in  1853. 

Child: 

i.  Erne   Elizabeth    (3),   born   Mar.    11,    1863;    taught 
school  with  unusual  success  for  thirty  years  in  Sand- 
wich, 111.  For  the  past  six  years  she  has  been  em- 
ployed by  Marshall  Field  and  Company,  Chicago. 
John  Boyd  successfully  followed  the  carpenter's  trade  in 
his  early  manhood,  but  later  was  a  farmer  for  many  years. 
When  the  family  removed  to  Sandwich  Mr.  Boyd  worked  in 
a  manufacturing  shop  for  a  few  years.  Here  he  received  an 
injury  which  finally  resulted  in  his  death.  He  was  a  man  of 
rare  genial  temperament.  With  his  wife  and  daughter  he  was 
for  a  long  time  a  member  of  the  Somonauk  United  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

The  Revolutionary  ancestors  of  John  and  Daniel  Nelson 
Boyd  were  Lieutenant  Daniel  McCleary  and  Joseph  Nelson, 
Sr.,  of  Salem,  N.  Y. 

104 


The  Cole  Family 
The  Cole  Family 

TOBIAS  BRITT  (1)  COLE  was  born  in  Greene  County, 
New  York,  of  English  stock,  January  16,  1821 ;  died  October 
5,  1883,  near  Winchester,  Kansas.  Of  his  early  life  little  is 
known,  as  he  was  a  man  not  given  to  talking  about  himself. 
His  father  died  while  he  was  young  and  his  mother  married 
one  Burnett,  a  distiller. 

The  education  of  Tobias  was  limited,  for  at  an  age  when 
most  boys  were  in  school  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  cabinet- 
maker. After  learning  his  trade  he  followed  it  in  New  York 
City  for  some  time  but  later  removed  to  the  state  of  Ohio, 
near  Columbus,  where  he  took  up  carpenter  work,  for  which 
his  early  training  had  fitted  him. 

On  January  16,  1843,  he  married  Anna  Cowden  at  her 
father's  house  near  Reynoldsburg,  Ohio.  She  was  born  August 
25,  1822;  died  August  22,  1860,  in  Clinton  township,  De 
Kalb  County,  Illinois,  and  was  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cem- 
etery. 

Children: 

i.  Orrin  (2),  born  June   1,   1845;  served  in  the  Civil 
War  in  Company  G,  9th  Ohio  Cavalry;  died  sud- 
denly Aug.  30,  1869. 
ii.  Isaac  Newton,  born  Apr.  14,  1847;  married  Feb.  10, 
1880,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Emma  Crump;   died  at 
his  home  in  Fort  Worth,  Tex.,  June  3,  1911.  He 
was  in  the  railroad  service  the  greater  part  of  his 
life,  being  for  many  years  a  conductor  on  a  pas- 
senger train, 
iii.  Clark  Graham,  born  Jan.  22,  1849;  died  at  his  home 
in    Manhattan,    Kan.,    Dec.    11,    1913;    married 
Aug.  18,  1873,  at  Somonauk,  111.,  Mary  A.  Wood, 
iv.  Laura  A.,  born  Oct.  17,  1852;  married  at  Somonauk, 
111.,  Harry  L.  Keys.  They  are  now  living  at  Nor- 
wood, Ohio. 

105 


Somonauk  Church 

v.  Marcus  D.,  born  Nov.  21,  1854.  Now  living  in  Los 

Angeles,  Cal. 
vi.   Elliot   L.,    born    Apr.    11,    1857;    married   Aug.    4, 
1880,   at  Leland,   111.,    Ella   Wood.   They   have 
brought  up  a  family  and  are  now  living  in  Aurora, 
111. 
vii.   A  son,  died  Oct.  3,  1859. 

Tobias  Britt  Cole  emigrated  with  his  family  from  Ohio  to 
Somonauk,  Illinois,  in  a  covered  wagon  in  the  spring  of  1853. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cole  at  once  united  with  the  Associate  Church 
of  Somonauk.  They  purchased  one  hundred  sixty  acres  from 
the  government  in  Clinton  township  and  moved  into  a  small 
cabin  in  Somonauk  township  while  the  erection  of  a  house  on 
the  farm  was  in  progress. 

After  the  death  of  his  wife  in  1860  Mr.  Cole  returned 
with  his  children  to  Ohio.  On  April  24,  1862,  he  married 
second,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Selders)  McMillan,  at  Rushsylvania, 
Ohio.  In  the  spring  of  1863  he  returned  with  his  family  to  his 
homestead  in  Illinois. 

Children  by  second  marriage: 

i.  Anna  (2),  born  Feb.  16,  1863;  died  at  Xenia,  Ohio, 
Nov.  21,  1899;  married  September,  1882,  at  Win- 
chester, Kan.,  Edward  H.  Vance. 
Ruth,  born  Dec.  11,  1864;  died  when  a  small  girl. 
Chase,  born  Aug.  5,   1866;   married  Feb.   14,   1900, 
Margaret  R.  Bennett.  Served  in  Company  A,  20th 
Kansas  Infantry,  U.  S.  Volunteers,  in  the  Spanish- 
American  War.  Now  living  in  Canon  City,  Colo. 
Hugh    Moffett,    born    Nov.    28,    1868,    in    De    Kalb 
County,  111.;  married  Oct.  12,  1892,  at  Winches- 
ter, Kan.,  Emma  Hurst.  They  are  now  living  in 
Valley  Falls,  Kan. 
v.   Ralph  E.,  died  in  infancy. 

106 


u. 

iii. 


IV. 


The  Dobbin  Family 

vi.  Abner,  born  July  18,  1871,  in  De  Kalb  County,  111.; 
married  at  Winchester,  Kan.,  Ella  Hurst.  They  are 
now  living  near  Oskaloosa,  Kan. 
Mr.  Cole  was  a  man  of  decided  opinions,  but  one  of  the  most 
kind-hearted,  frequently  giving  his  personal  services  to  neigh- 
bors who  were  ill  or  in  misfortune.  He  sold  his  farm  in  Illinois 
and  removed  to  Kansas,  near  Winchester,   in  the  spring  of 
1881,  hoping  the  change  of  climate  would  prove  beneficial  to 
his  health.  Here  he  died  three  years  later.  His  wife,  Elizabeth 
(Selders)  Cole,  died  September  3,  1892. 

The  second  wife  of  Tobias  Britt  (1),  Elizabeth  (Selders) 
Cole,  was  born  March  28,  1831,  in  Ohio;  married  first,  May 
4,  1848,  Brice  J.  Wood;  second,  August  5,  1854,  Alexander 
McMillan. 

The  Dobbin  Family 

The  Dobbin  family  is  of  French  Huguenot  descent  and  the 
present  name  is  a  corruption  of  the  name  D'Aubigne.  There 
are  good  reasons  for  believing  that  the  family  was  driven  from 
France  during  the  Huguenot  persecution  and  took  refuge  in 
Scotland.  Later  they  crossed  the  Irish  Sea  to  the  north  of  Ire- 
land and  settled  in  County  Antrim.  A  manuscript  history  of 
this  family  is  in  the  hands  of  Miss  Hattie  M.  Dobbin,  of  East 
Greenwich,  New  York. 

JOHN    (1)    DOBBIN    was    born    early    in    the    eighteenth 
century   in   Connagher,   County   Antrim.    He   married   Mary 
Miller,  of  the  same  place. 
Children: 

i.  William  (2),  born  Feb.  22,  1771. 
ii.  James. 

iii.  John,  born  Mar.  17,  1776. 
iv.   David,  died  Feb.  19,  1861,  aged  82  years, 
v.   Miller,  married  Margaret  Mains. 

107 


Somonauk  Church 

vi.  Samuel,   married   first,   Sarah   Mains;    second,   Anna 
McNaughton  Dyer.  Both  were  great  granddaugh- 
ters of  Alexander  McNaughton. 
vii.  Sarah,  died  young. 

During  the  Revolutionary  War  John  (1)  came  to  America 
and  fought  on  the  side  of  the  Colonists  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  when  he  returned  to  Ireland.  Not  long  after  his  return 
his  wife  died. 

When  the  Irish  Rebellion  failed  in  1798  the  Dobbin  family, 
having  espoused  the  cause  of  liberty,  found  themselves  at  the 
mercy  of  their  enemies.  James  (2)  and  John  (2)  departed 
at  once  for  America,  but  William,  having  been  recognized 
and  a  price  put  on  his  head,  remained  in  hiding. 

John  (1)  Dobbin,  with  his  three  youngest  sons,  David, 
Miller  and  Samuel,  came  to  America  when  Samuel  was  nine 
years  old.  They  landed  in  Virginia  and  completed  their  journey 
northward,  several  hundred  miles,  on  foot.  The  father  was 
quite  feeble  and  could  travel  but  slowly,  so  the  two  elder  boys 
went  on,  leaving  him  and  Samuel  to  follow  as  their  strength 
would  permit.  After  a  painful  journey  of  weeks  they  reached 
Washington  County,  New  York.  John  (1)  Dobbin  is  buried 
in  an  unmarked  grave  in  the  old  McNaughton  burial-ground 
on  Lot  No.  32  of  the  Argyle  Patent,  now  Christie  Cemetery. 
WILLIAM  (2)  DOBBIN,  born  in  Connagher,  County 
Antrim,  Ireland,  February  22,  1771;  died  June  24,  1858; 
married  1793,  Margaret,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Jane 
(Dobbin)  Andrew,  born  in  November,  1771. 

On  June  19,  1824,  William  and  his  family,  except  his  two 
eldest  sons,  who  had  already  emigrated,  came  to  America  and 
settled  in  Jackson  township,  Washington  County,  New  York. 
William  (2)  was  a  ruling  elder  in  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Shushan,  in  that  county,  but  is  buried  in  South 
Argyle.  Many  of  his  descendants  were  members  of  the  Somon- 
auk church  in  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois. 

108 


The  Dobbin  Family 

Children: 

i.  Samuel  (3),  born  July  5,   1794. 
ii.  John,  born  1796. 
iii.  Joseph,  born  July  5,  1799. 
iv.  Mary,  born  June,  1800;  died  1803. 
v.  Jane,  born  April,   1804;    married  James  McAllister, 

Sr.  (Seepage  168.) 
vi.  William  Miller,  born  July,  1806. 
vii.  James,  born  July,  1808. 
viii.  James  second,  born  July,  1810;  died  at  sea. 
ix.   David  Miller,  born  Jan.  31,  1813. 
x.   Mary  second,  born  June  14,  1815;  married  Sept.  25, 
1845,  John  Nelson. 

SAMUEL  (3)  DOBBIN,  born  July  5,  1794;  died  in  Green- 
wich, Washington  County,  New  York,  in  1866;  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Peter  Christie,  a  Revolutionary  soldier. 
Their  daughter  Margaret  married,  as  his  second  wife,  John 
Walker.  (See  page  237.) 

JOHN   (3)   DOBBIN,  born  in  Ireland  in    1796;    married 
Rachel  McLean  in  Washington  County,  New  York,  where 
she  died  in  middle  life.  He  died  in  Salem,  N.  Y. 
Child: 

i.  James  McLean  (4),  born  in  Washington  County, 
N.  Y.;  died  Jan.  1 1,  1863,  from  a  wound  received 
in  the  battle  of  Chickasaw  Bayou.  He  is  buried  in 
Oak  Mound  Cemetery.  He  married  Nov.  25, 
1858,  Annette  S.  Stewart.  (See  Stewart  Family.) 
Child: 

i.   Dwight  Stewart  (5),  born  Dec.  29,  1859;  died 
Aug.  8,  1863. 

JOSEPH    (3)   DOBBIN,  born  July  5,    1799;   married  his 
cousin  Martha  S.  Dobbin. 

109 


Somonauk  Church 

JANE  (3)  DOBBIN,  born  April,  1804;  married  James  Mc- 
Allister.  (See  page  168.) 

WILLIAM  MILLER  (3)  DOBBIN,  born  July,  1806; 
married  Mehitabel  Milliman.  They  came  to  Henderson 
County,  Illinois,  in  1842. 

JAMES  (3)  DOBBIN,  born  July,  1808;  died  an  infant. 
JAMES   (3)   DOBBIN,  second,  born  July,   1810;   killed  or 
drowned  at  sea,  aged  24  years. 

DAVID  MILLER  (3)  DOBBIN,  born  in  Connagher,  in 
the  Parish  of  Ballamoney,  County  Armagh,  Ireland,  January 
31,  1813;  came  to  America  in  1824,  when  eleven  years  of 
age;  died  November  29,  1898,  at  his  home  in  Viola,  Kansas. 
David  Miller  Dobbin  married  first,  in  the  township  of  Jack- 
son, Washington  County,  New  York,  January  18,  1836, 
Charity  Irvine  Graham;  born  in  Washington  County,  New 
York,  August  11,  1816;  died  in  Reynoldsburg,  Ohio,  June 
16,  1839;  daughter  of  John  W.  and  Margaret  Irvine 
Graham  and  granddaughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Mc- 
Burney)  Graham  of  Salem,  New  York. 
Children: 

i.  William  John  (4),  born  Dec.  5,  1836. 
ii.   Mary  Jane,  born  Mar.  18,  1839;  died  Aug.  16,  1839. 
David  Miller  (3)  Dobbin  married  second,  in  the  township 
of  Jackson,  Washington  County,  New  York,  April  — ,  1843, 
Mary  Jane  French;  born  in  Cambridge,  New  York,  October 
26,   1819;  died  in  Squaw  Grove  township,  De  Kalb  County, 
Illinois,  January  27,    1848;    daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Ann 
(Edgar)  French. 
Children: 

i.   Margaret   Ann    (4),   born   Dec.    31,    1844;    married 

Thomas  Irwin,  Aug.  28,  1872;  died  Jan.  2,  1874. 

ii.  James  Blair,  born  Oct.   13,   1847;   married  Dec.  29, 

1877,  Lucretia  Carr;  died  at  Viola,  Kan.,  May  21, 

1919-  no 


The  Dobbin  Family 

David  Miller  (3)  Dobbin  married  third,  in  the  home  of 
her  sister,  Mrs.  Margaret  Thompson,  in  Victor  township,  De 
Kalb  County,  Illinois,  September  9,  1857,  Eliza,  daughter  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Hall)  Stott;  born  in  Argyle,  Washington 
County,  New  York,  Feb.  17,  1817;  died  near  Viola,  Kansas, 
October  25,  1903. 
Children : 

i.   Sarah  Mary  (4),  born  June  16,   1853;   married  Feb 

15,  1877,  Miles  Robinson, 
ii.   Eliza  Jane,  born  June  29,    1855;    married   May    17, 

1883,  James  Irvine  More. 
iii.  Agnes  Isabella,   born  Feb.   24,    1857;    married   Mar 

15,  1883,  Walter  Speer. 
iv.  Emma,  born  Sept.  4,  1859;  married  Sept.  16,   1881, 
J.  H.  Robinson. 

WILLIAM  JOHN  (4)  DOBBIN,  born  in  Washington 
County,  New  York,  December  5,  1836;  died  in  Viola,  Kansas, 
July  8,  1922;  married  first  June  9,  1859,  Sarah  Ann  Stewart, 
born  August  9,  1837;  died  December  13,  1880,  in  De  Kalb 
County,  Illinois.  Mr.  Dobbin  came  to  Illinois  with  his  father 
in  1844.  Both  he  and  Mrs.  Dobbin  were  active  members  of 
the  Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
Children: 

i.  Albert  (5),  born  Mar.  28,  1860. 
ii.   Henry  George,  born  June  9,   1863. 
iii.   Charity  Agnes,  born  Jan.  2,  1866. 
iv.   Mabel,  born  Oct.  4,   1870. 
v.   Stewart,  born  Oct.  4,  1870. 
vi.   Benjamin  Miller,  born  Dec.  12,  1880. 
William  John    (4)    Dobbin  married  second,  February  28, 
1882,  his  cousin  Nancy  Ferguson. 

ALBERT  (5)  DOBBIN,  born  March  28,  1860,  in  De  Kalb 
County,   Illinois;    died   in   California,   December    10,    1924; 

111 


Somonauk  Church 

married,  first,  March  27,  1883,  Clara  Graham,  born ^February 
27,  1864;  died  March  27,  1894,  at  Viola,  Kansas.  Their  one 
ch  Id  died  in  infancy.  He  moved  to  California  in  1894  and 
married,  second,  March  8,  1899,  Louise  Adams  Benson,  who 
died  near  Chino,  California,  December  10,  19Zi. 

Child:  n  .   ,  „    , 

i.  Silvia  Helen  (6),  born  Jan.  20,  1900;  married  Earl 

Dawson. 

HENRY   GEORGE    (5)    DOBBIN    born   in   De   Kjdb 

County,  Illinois,  June  9,  1863;  d.ed  December  18  1905, 
marrtd  February  21,  1901,  Mrs.  Mary  (Livingston)  Nighs- 
wonger;  born  February  21,  1869. 

Children: 

i.  Marjorie  M.  (6),  born  May  23    1904 
ii.  Juanita  H.,  born  June  7,  1906;  died  July  30,  1908. 

PHARITY  AGNES  (5)  DOBBIN,  born  in  De  Kalb 
cfunt^BLfjanuary(2:  1866;  married  Charles  Ellsworth 
Stinson  at  Viola,  Kansas,  December  31,  lobb. 

Children:  n/      ,.   .  ,» 

i.  Sara  C.  (6)  Stinson,  born  Nov.  30,  1886;  died  May 

14'191L  u        xt        17    1889 

ii.  Ralph  Turnbull  Stinson,  born  Nov    17,  1889. 

iii.  Max  William  Stinson,  born  Dec.  13,  loVl. 

iv.  Mabel  Jean  Stinson,  born  Jan.  13,  1894. 

v.  Helen  Etter  Stinson,  born  Feb.  23,  1896. 

vi.  Mary  Stewart  Stinson,  born  Feb  23,  l»96. 

vii.  Robert  Campbell  Stinson,  born  Dec.  30,  1SV7. 

viii.  Edith  Stinson,  born  Dec.  30,  1899^ 

ix.  Charles  Willis  Stinson,  born  Mar.  9    1902 

x.  Leroy  Dobbin  Stinson,  born  Aug.  30,  1VU5. 

xi'.  Marie  T.  Stinson,  born  May  11,  1910. 


The  Dobbin  Family 

STEWART  (5)  DOBBIN,  born  in  De  Kalb  County,  Illi- 
nois, October  4,  1870;  married  near  Viola,  Kansas,  February 
20,  1896,  May  Graham;  born  in  Indianola,  Iowa,  November 
25,  1872. 

Children : 

i.  Wilda  M.  (6),  born  Oct.  5,  1897. 
ii.  Glen,  born  Sept.  22,  1899. 
iii.  Blanch  Martha,  born  July  28,   1903;   married,  Sept. 

11,  1924,  Albert  Warner,  born  Aug.  7,  1903. 
iv.  Emma  Lucile,  born  July  28,   1907. 
v.  John  Ralph,  born  Oct.  15,  1911. 

BENJAMIN  MILLER  (5)  DOBBIN,  born  in  De  Kalb 
County,  Illinois,  December  12,  1880;  married  May  22,  1907, 
near  Viola,  Kansas,  Elizabeth  Jane  Robinson,  born  Mar.  17,' 
1883.  Mr.  Dobbin  has  been  a  minister  of  the  gospel  for  over 
twenty  years  and  is  at  present  pastor  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Pretty  Prairie,  Kansas. 

JOHN  (2)  DOBBIN,  born  March  17,   1776,  in  Ireland; 
died  March  22,  1861;  married  Jane  McKillip  in  Washington 
County,  New  York.  He  came  to  America  in  1798  and  settled 
in  Washington  County,  New  York. 
Children : 
i.  John  (3). 
ii.   David. 

iii.  James  S.,  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Bacon  Ames, 
iv.   Maria, 
v.   Martha, 
vi.  Sarah, 
vii.  Ann,  born  Aug.  5,  1807. 

ANN  (3)  DOBBIN,  born  August  5,  1807;  died  in  1847; 
was  a  charter  member  of  the  Somonauk  church.  She  removed 
from  Washington  County,  New  York,  to  Somonauk,  Illinois, 

113 


Somonauk  Church 

some  time  previous  to  March  18,  1846,  for  on  that  date  she 
united  with  the  Associate  Church  there.  She  married  as  his 
second  wife,  July  4,  1846,  Francis  Telford,  a  son  of  James 
and  Elizabeth  (McAuley)  Telford,  both  of  Jackson  Wash- 
ington County,  New  York,  and  died  November  ^,1847,  leav- 
ing no  issue.  Francis  Telford,  born  March  20,  1809,  died  Sep- 
tember 27,  1887,  in  Mason  City,  Iowa. 

DAVID   (2)   DOBBIN,  died  February   19,   1861,  aged  82 
years;  married  first,  McKay;  second,  Nancy  Loune. 

Children: 

i.  John  (3).  - 

ii.  Elizabeth,   married   James   Mains,   Jr.,   a  brother   of 
Sarah  and  Margaret  Mains. 

iii.  Mary,  married Harrison. 

iv.   Martha,  married  James  Foster, 
v.  Jane,  married  William  Telford,  of  Argyle. 

MILLER  (2)   DOBBIN  married  first,  Margaret  Mains    a 
great-granddaughter    of    Alexander    McNaughton;     second, 
Mrs.  Margaret  Tinkey  Beattie. 
Children  of  first  marriage: 
i.   Samuel   (3). 
ii.   Margaret, 
iii.  Jane, 
iv.   Eleanor. 
Child  of  second  marriage: 
i.   Sarah  (3). 

SAMUEL  (2)  DOBBIN,  who  came  into  possession  of  Alex- 
ander McNauehton's  land  in  that  part  of  Argyle  now  Green- 
wich, married^first,  February  4,  1810,  Sarah  Mains;  second, 
Mrs.  Anna  McNaughton  Dyer. 

114 


The  Ferguson  Family 

Children: 

i.   Margaret  (3),  died  in  infancy, 
ii.  Alexander, 
iii.   William. 
iv.   Mary. 

v.  Eleanor    Livingston,    married    George    (3)    Walker. 

(Seepage  235.) 
vi.  Isabel. 

vii.  James,  married  Catherine  Campbell, 
viii.  John  Miller,  married  Phoebe  McL.   Graham.   Their 
daughter  Hattie  (4)  Dobbin,  of  East  Greenwich, 
N.  Y.,  has  the  family  history  in  manuscript. 

The  Ferguson  Family 

JAMES  (1)  FERGUSON  was  born  May  18,  1798  in 
Washington  County,  New  York;  died  February  3,  1872  in 
Somonauk  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  from  the 'ef- 
fects of  a  fall.  He  married  Nancy  A.  Graham,  fifth  child 
of  John  W.  and  Margaret  Irvine  Graham  (see  Graham 
family),  born  August  7,  1807,  in  Washington  County,  New 
York;  died  at  Somonauk,  Illinois,  June  1,  1893.  They  were 
married  February  28,  1830,  and  lived  in  Franklin  County, 
Ohio,  purchasing  a  farm  near  the  village  of  Reynoldsburg, 
where  they  lived  until  the  spring  of  1851.  They  then  removed 
to  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  and  bought  a  farm  in  Somonauk 
township.     There  they  lived  for  the  rest  of  their  lives. 

They  were  members  of  the  Associate  Church  in  New  York 
and  Ohio,  and  also  in  Illinois,  until  1858,  when  the  Associate 
Church  united  with  the  Associated  Reformed  Church,  form- 
ing  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  which  continued  to  be 
their  home  church. 

They  were  ever  ready  to  do  their  part  in  any  good  work 
Aunt  Nancy,"  as  she  was  called,  was  quick  to  respond  in  case 
of  sickness  or  need. 

115 


Somonauk  Church 

Children:  _   _ .  ~ 

i    Robert  (2),  born  May  7,  1834,  in  Washington  Co 
N.   Y.;    married   Apr.    28,    1861,   Eleanor    (5), 
daughter  of  Jesse  Kirkpatrick;  born  June  12,  1832. 
ii    Nancy  Maxwell,  born  Apr.  2,   1837;   married  Feb. 
28,  1882,  William  John  (3)  Dobbin;  died  Aug. 
19    1926,  in  her  ninetieth  year. 
Hi.  Margaret,  born  Aug.  12,  1843,  in  Franklin  County, 
Ohio;   married  Joseph  T.  Fulton;  born  Jan.  17, 
1835,  in  Logan  County,  Ohio.     They  were  mar- 
ried in  her   father's  house,  in  De  Kalb  County, 
Nov    7,    1864.  In  August,    1862,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  H,    105th  Regiment  Illinois  Infantry. 
He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.  In 
1869  they  removed  to  Winchester,  Kan.,  and  set- 
tled on  a  farm.  After  several  years  of   farming 
they  removed  to  Topeka,  Kan.,  and  Mr.  Fulton 
entered  the  real  estate  business  there.  He  died  at 
the  age  of  sixty-two.  Corporal  Fulton  was  a  man 
of  ability,  a  fine  scholar,  and  a   good  executive. 
He  was  elected  an  elder  of  the  Somonauk  U.  F. 
Church  in   1867.  Mrs.  Fulton  and  her  daughter 
Clara  now  live  in  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

Children: 

i.  Josephine  Agnes  (3)  Fulton, 
ii.  James  Elbert  Fulton, 
iii.   Robert  Moffett  Fulton, 
iv.  Ralph  Erskin  Fulton, 
v.  Nancy  Mary  Fulton, 
vi.  William  Shakespeare  Fulton, 
vii.  Juanita  Fulton. 
viii.  Margaret  Belle  Fulton, 
ix.  Clara  Dimple  Fulton, 
iv.  William  Connell,  born  Oct.  15,  1846. 

116 


The  French  Family 

WILLIAM  CONNELL  (2)  FERGUSON,  born  October 
15,  1846,  near  Reynoldsburg,  Ohio;  died  September  2,  1923; 
married  October  14,  1878,  Samantha  Wood;  born  September 
13,  1851,  in  Ohio.  William  lived  with  his  parents  during 
their  lifetime  and  continued  to  make  the  farm  his  family 
homestead  after  their  death.  He  was  an  elder  of  the  church 
for  some  years. 

Children : 

i.  Ralph  (3).  vi.  William  K. 

ii.  Agnes  B.  vii.  Howard, 

iii.  Bryce  James.  viii.  Hugh  Russell, 

iv.   Helen  W.  ix.  Elizabeth  B. 
v.   Robert  Harvey. 

The  French  Family 

WILLIAM  (1)  FRENCH,  born  in  Halsted,  Essex,  England, 
March  15,  1603,  came  to  Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  the  ship 
Defense  in  1635.  He  married  Elizabeth  Symmes  and  settled 
first  in  Cambridge  and  later  in  Billerica,  Massachusetts.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery  Com- 
pany of  Massachusetts. 

SAMUEL  (2)  FRENCH,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  John 
Cummings,  and  settled  in  the  part  of  Dunstable,  Massachu- 
setts, that  is  now  in  New  Hampshire. 

There  are  two  generations  missing  in  this  line,  unless  they 
were  Joseph  (3)  and  Samson  (4)  French. 

JONATHAN  (5)  FRENCH,  born  in  Dunstable,  Massachu- 
setts, September  22,  1751;  died  May  17,  1838;  married  Jean 
Blair,  a  daughter  of  Colonel  John  Blair;  died  July  4,  1831. 
Captain  Jonathan  (5)  French  and  his  brother  David  (see 
page  119)  settled  in  Cambridge,  New  York,  before  the  Revolu- 
tionary War.  The  brothers  enlisted  May  21,  1775,  and  Jona- 

117 


Somonauk  Church 

than   served  throughout  the   war,   both   serving   later   in   the 
Albany  County  Militia  under  Captain  John  Blair. 

Children: 

i.  John  Blair  (6),  born  about  1780. 
ii.   Beveridge. 
iii.  Clement. 

JOHN  BLAIR  (6)  FRENCH,  born  about  1780;  married 
first  Margaret  Crawford. 

Child: 

i.  Jonathan  (7). 
John  Blair  (6)  French  married  as  his  second  wife  Robena 
McMicken. 

Children: 

i.   David  (7),  died  at  Reynoldsburg,  Ohio,  aged  14. 

ii.  John  McMicken. 

iii.  Rensselaer  W.,  born  Mar.  11,  1814. 

iv.  Robert. 

v.  William, 

vi.  David. 

vii.  Janet. 

RENSSELAER  W.  (7)  FRENCH,  born  March  11,  1814, 
at  Worcester,  New  York;  died  February  22,  1902,  at  Chicago; 
married  April  24,  1839,  Nancy,  a  daughter  of  John  Pollock; 
born  at  Gratiot,  Ohio,  October  2,  1819;  died  at  Peotone,  Illi- 
nois, August  18,  1880.  (Portrait,  see  page  134.) 

Mr.  French  was  licensed  to  preach  at  Wooster  by  the  Asso- 
ciate Presbyterian  Presbytery  at  Richmond,  Ohio,  July  13, 
1843  His  first  pastorate  was  at  North  Henderson,  Mercer 
County,  Illinois,  July,  1 844,  and  dimitted  May,  1 849. 

His  second  pastorate  was  at  Somonauk,  De  Kalb  County 
Illinois,  where  he  was  installed  in  November,   1849,  wh.ch 

118 


The  French  Family 

charge  he  held  until  September,  1859.  The  details  of  his  pas- 
torate are  related  in  the  history  of  this  church. 
Children: 

i.  John  Pollock  (8),  born  Feb.  14,  1840;  died  Nov.  12, 

1856. 
ii.   Robena  Jane  McMicken,  born  Apr.  29,   1841;   died 
May  3,  1879;  married  Rev.  N.  H.  Brown, 'l 862 
in.   Mary  Anne,  born  Jan.  20,  1843;  died  Sept.  1    1883 
iv.  Albert  C,  born  Dec.  12,  1852. 

ALBERT  C.  (9)  FRENCH,  born  December  12,  1852;  mar- 
ned  September  7,  1875,  Mary  Stuart  Taylor,  of  Elgin,  Scot- 
land.  They  reside  in  Chicago. 
Children: 

i.  Rensselaer  W.  (10). 
ii.   Harvey  B. 
iii.  Jennie  M. 
iv.  Albert  Chanceller. 
v.   Marguerita  Wilton, 
vi.  Robert  Gordon. 

DAVID  (5)  FRENCH,  born  in  Dunstable,  Massachusetts, 
Janu^  23,   1753;   died  in  Salem,  New  York,  November  6, 
1836;    married    first   in    Cambridge,    about    1775,    Susanna, 
daughter  of  Colonel  John  and  Sarah  Blair  of  Pelham,  Massa- 
chusetts, and  Cambridge,  New  York,  who  was  born  in  Pelham 
Massachusetts,    April   22,    1748;    died    in    Cambridge,    New 
York,  before  1820.  He  married  second,  about  1820,  Elizabeth 
daughter  of  John  Foster,  one  of  Dr.  Clark's  ruling  elders. 
Children  by  first  marriage : 

i.  Benjamin  (6),  born  Oct.  26,  1776;  died  in  1857; 
married  Charlotte  Miller  of  South  Argyle,  N.  Y. 
ii.  John,  married  and  removed  to  Ohio  in  1817. 
iii.  Jonathan,  born  in  1781. 

119 


Somonauk  Church 

iv.  Rev.  David,  born  Aug.  11,  1783;  died  in  Taylors- 
town,  Pa.,  in  1855;  married  Sarah  McClellan  and 
had  five  sons  who  were  United  Presbyterian  min- 
isters, 
v.  Solomon,  born  in  1787;  died  Apr.  29,  1858;  un- 
married. 

JONATHAN  (6)  FRENCH,  born  in  1781,  in  the  town- 
ship of  Cambridge,  Washington  County,  New  York;  died  in 
Squaw  Grove  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  in  1848; 
married  in  Cambridge,  New  York,  in  1805,  Ann,  daughter 
of  William  and  Ann  Edgar  of  Pelham,  Massachusetts,  and 
Cambridge,  New  York;  born  in  Cambridge,  New  York,  in 
1783;  died  in  Squaw  Grove  township  in  1847. 
Children,  all  born  in  Cambridge: 

i.  Elizabeth  (7),  born  Sept.  3,  1806;  died  in  Jackson, 
Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  May  23,  1869;  mar- 
ried July  15,  1824,  George  Armstrong, 
ii.  Ann,  born  Mar.  20,  1809;   died  in  Jackson,  N.  Y., 
Feb.  14,  1887;  married  Feb.  17,  1833,  James  Hill, 
iii.  William,  born  Sept.  30,  1811. 

iv.  Dr.  Jonathan  B.,  born  in  1813;  died  in  the  home 
of  his  brother  William  in  Somonauk,  111.,  Dec. 
26,  1843. 
v  Alexander,  born  in  Cambridge,  N.  Y.;  married  in 
Somonauk,  111.,  Sept.  30,  1850,  Eliza,  daughter 
of  Joseph  A.  Thompson.  He  was  a  charter  mem- 
ber of  the  Associate  Church.  He  removed  to  Cal- 
ifornia and  his  family  is  not  traced. 

Children: 

i.  Martin  (8).  iii-  Elizabeth. 


ii.  Joseph. 


vi.  Susanna,  died  unmarried  in  Washington  County,  N.  Y. 

120 


William  French 


Mrs.   William  French 
(Isabel  B  eve  ridge)   Charter  Membet 


James  Henry 


Mrs.  James  Henry  (Jennett  Beveridge) 


The  French  Family 

vii.  Mary  Jane,  born  Oct.  26,  1819;  married  Apr.  1, 
1843,  David  Miller  Dobbin  as  his  second  wife. 
She  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Associate  Church. 
(See  page  1 10.) 
viii.  Sarah,  born  in  1821;  died  in  the  house  of  her 
brother,  James  W.  French,  Feb.  1,  1881.  She  is 
buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery.  She  was  a  charter 
member  of  the  Associate  Church  in  Somonauk, 
Illinois.  (Portrait,  see  page  218.) 

ix.  James  W.,  born  Oct.  26,  1826. 

WILLIAM  (7)  FRENCH  was  born  September  30,  1811; 
died  in  Somonauk,  Illinois,  July  19,  1880;  married  October 
29,  1838,  Isabel,  daughter  of  George  (2)  and  Ann  (Hoy) 
Beveridge;  born  November  17,  1815,  in  the  township  of  Cam- 
bridge, Washington  County,  New  York;  died  April  15,  1894, 
in  Sandwich,  Illinois.  They  came  to  Somonauk  with  George 
and  Ann  (Hoy)  Beveridge  in  1842  and  settled  on  a  claim  on 
the  Somonauk  Creek.  Mrs.  French  was  a  charter  member  of 
the  church,  and  Mr.  French  later  became  a  member.  They  are 
both  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

Children: 

i.  Ellen  Ann  (8),  born  in  Washington  County,  N.  Y., 

Dec.  20,  1840;  died  in  Goldfield,  Iowa,  Nov.  12, 

1905;  married  Oct.  12,  1860,  Chester  (3)  Henry. 

(Seepage  152.) 

ii.  Mary   Elizabeth,    born    1844;    died    1872;    married 

1863,  Thomas  Irwin.  (See  page  159.) 
iii.  Sarah  Agnes,   born  Mar.    13,    1846;    died  June    10, 
1926;  married  Jan.  2,   1872,  James  Martin  (3) 
McCleery.  (Seepage  180.) 
iv.  John    Blair,   born    Nov.    24,    1848;    died   unmarried 
Oct.  18,  1866. 

121 


Somonauk  Church 

v.  George  Beveridge,  born  Dec.  19,  1850;  died  Nov. 
15,  1915;  married  first,  Dec.  31,  1879,  Clara  M. 
(6)  Kirkpatrick;  born  May  4,  1853,  daughter  of 
Isaac  and  Sarah  (Elliott)  Kirkpatrick. 

Children: 

i.  Mary  Ella  (9). 
ii.  William. 
He  married  second,  in  1896,  Sarah  M.  Orr,  who  died 
Nov.  17,  1915. 

Child: 

i.  Paul  (9). 
vi.  Andrew    L.,    born    Mar.    15,    1853;    died   Feb.    26, 

1891;    married  Feb.   27,    1884,  Agnes,  daughter 

of  Samuel  and  Agnes  (Stewart)  McBride. 
vii.  Jeannette,   born   Mar.    15,    1856;    married  Nov.   29, 

1876,  Thomas  J.  Mcllhenney. 

Children: 

i.  Andrew  (9)  Mcllhenney. 
ii.  Joseph  Mcllhenney. 
iii.   Isabel  Mcllhenney. 
iv.  J.  Hoy  Mcllhenney. 

TAMES  W  (7)  FRENCH,  born  October  26,  1826,  in 
Washington  County,  New  York;  died  in  Goldfield,  Iowa, 
February  14,  1890;  married  September  — ,  1852,  Mary  Ann 
Skinner,  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Elizabeth  (Armstrong) 
Skinner,  who  was  born  in  South  Argyle,  New  York,  Novem- 
ber 5,  1826,  and  died  in  Clarion,  Iowa,  May,  1907. 

Mr  French  lived  on  the  farm  in  Squaw  Grove  township 
that  his  father  had  purchased  of  the  government  in  1844,  until 
February,  1890,  when  he  removed  to  Goldfield,  Iowa,  where 

122 


The  French  Family 

he  suddenly  passed  away  a  day  or  two  after  his  arrival.  He 
and  his  wife  are  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 
Children: 

i.  Alexander  Skinner  (8),  born  Nov.  8,  1855;  married 
Dec.  31,   1885,  Theresa  Agnes  McClellan;   born 
Aug.   14,   1863,  daughter  of  James  and  Emeline 
(Stewart)  McClellan. 
Children: 

i.  Walter  B.  (9),  born  June  8,  1888. 

ii.  Alta  Grace,  born  July  27,  1891,  was  graduated 

from    Monmouth   College   in    1913,   and  is 

now    a    missionary    in    Egypt,    sent    by,  the 

Woman's  Board  of  the  U.  P.  Church. 

iii.  John  M.,  born  Oct.  20,   1898.  He  is  a  farmer 

near  Goldfield,  Iowa, 
iv.  Francis  May,  born  Apr.  4,  1903. 

The   four  children  were  graduated   from 
the  high  school  of  Goldfield,  Iowa, 
ii.   Susan    (8),   unmarried   and   living   with   her   brother 

William  in  Waterloo,  Iowa, 
iii.   Anna  Elizabeth,   born  Oct.    15,    1859;    died  May  4, 

1895. 
iv.  William  J.,  born  Aug.   15,   1863;   married  Sept.  29, 
1886,  Sarah  E.   (4)   Henry,  daughter  of  Chester 
and  Ellen  Ann  (French)  Henry. 
Children : 

i.  Elsie  May  (9)  was  graduated  from  Monmouth 
College  and  is  now  a  missionary  in  Egypt  and 
superintendent  of  the  Central  Girls'  High 
School  in  Alexandria, 
ii.  Mary  Ellen,  graduate  of  Monmouth  College 
and  teacher  of  French  and  mathematics  in 
the  high  school,  Onawa,  Iowa, 
iii.  Leile  B.,  at  home. 

123 


Somonauk  Church 
The  Gilchrist  Family 

The  surname  Gilchrist  is  derived  from  two  Gaelic  words 
Gille  and  Criosd,  meaning  the  servants  of  Christ. 

THOMAS  (1)  GILCHRIST,  ancestor  of  this  branch  of 
the  Gilchrist  family,  was  born  in  County  Monaghan,  Ireland, 
in  April,  1766.  He  came  to  America  when  a  young  man  and 
was  a  large  landowner  in  Argyle  and  Hebron,  Washington 
County,  New  York.  He  died  in  Hebron,  February  25,  1849. 
The  surname  of  Mary,  his  first  wife  and  the  mother  of  his 
children,  is  not  known.  Her  death  occurred  February  18,  1832, 
at  Hebron,  she  being  then  sixty-two  years  of  age.  His  will, 
dated  February  20,  1849,  and  probated  April  24,  1849,  named 
five  sons  and  a  daughter.  His  will  also  mentions  his  second 
wife,  Mary,  and  a  niece  Mary,  a  daughter  of  his  brother, 
Andrew  Gilchrist.  Huggins  was  the  name  of  one  of  his  wives. 

Children: 

i.  William  (2).  iv.  Robert. 

ii.  John.  v-  Joseph. 

iii.  James.  ™.  Eleanor. 

JOSEPH  (2)  GILCHRIST,  the  youngest  son,  was  born 
in  Hebron,  Washington  County,  New  York,  June  2,  1814; 
died  in  Clinton  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  June  22, 
1910-  married  in  Hebron,  New  York,  February  7,  1839, 
Martha  Jane  Randies;  born  June  22,  1816;  died  May  21, 
1883;  daughter  of  Alexander  (3)  Randies  and  his  wife 
Mary  A.  Loudon,  and  granddaughter  of  Hugh  Randies  and 
wife  Jane,  daughter  of   Alexander   McClellan   of   Hebron, 

New  York. 

Joseph  Gilchrist  and  family  came  from  West  Hebron,  New 
York,  to  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  in  1864,  settling  in  Clinton 
township.  They  united  with  the  Somonauk  Presbyterian 
Church  and  were  members  for  years. 

124 


The  Gilchrist  Family 
Children,  born  at  West  Hebron,  N.  Y.: 

i.  Alexander  R.  (3),  born  Aug.  29,  1840;  died  Oct.  3, 

1845. 
ii.  Anna   Mary,    born    Oct.    13,    1841;    died    May   21, 
1870;  married  Jan.  14,  1868,  James  Elliott  Kirk- 
patrick.  (Seepage  166.) 
iiu  Albert  Leroy,   born   Mar.   2,    1843;    died   Dec    24 

1926. 
it.  Andrew  T.,  born  Oct.  4,  1844;  died  Nov.  9,  1846. 
v.   Margaret  I.,  born  Aug.  10,  1846;  died  May  2,  1864. 
vi.   Wallace,    born   June    6,    1848;    died  Feb.    3,    1915; 
married  Dec.  29,  1881,  Jane  H.  Stott. 

vil  Sarah  Jane,  born  May  25,  1850;  died  Feb. ,  1894. 

viii.  Emma  J.,  born  July  21,  1852;   died  Aug.   18,'  1865.' 
ix.  Alexander,  born  Mar.  25,  1854;  died  Jan.  29,  1907. 
x.  Andrew  R,  born  Mar.  22,  1856;  married  first,  Dec' 
26,  1890,  Elizabeth  M.  Stewart;  married  second, 
Jan.  4,  1899,  Jane  E.  Grey. 
xi.  Isadore  A,  born  June  25,   1859;   died  Jan.   1,   1862. 
xii.  Jane  Hannah,  born  Oct.  19,  1860;  married  Feb    10 
1887,  George  F.  McKnight. 

ALBERT  LEROY  (3)  GILCHRIST,  born  March  2, 
1843;  died  December  24,  1926,  in  Waterman,  Illinois;  mar- 
ried first,  January  11,  1870,  Ellen  Mary  Forsyth,  who  died 
April  3,  1890;  married  second,  April  20,  1893,  Vella  M. 
Morton. 

Child: 

i.   Margaret  (4),  married  Walter  R.  Wilson. 
Children: 

i.  Florence  A.  (5)  Wilson, 
ii.  Walter  B.  Wilson, 
iii.   Robert  W.  Wilson. 

125 


Somonauk  Church 

ALEXANDER  (3)  GILCHRIST,  a  son  of  Joseph  and 
Martha  Jane  (Randies)  Gilchrist,  was  born  in  West  Hebron, 
Washington  County,  New  York,  March  25,  1854;  married 
October  22,  1886,  Cora  Seaton  of  Richmond,  Indiana. 

Children: 

i.  Albert  (4). 
ii.   Ruth. 

He  came  to  Somonauk,  Illinois,  with  his  parents  in  the  spring 
of  1864.  They  bought  a  farm  and  settled  in  Clinton  town- 
ship. Alexander  united  with  the  church,  June  24,  1871,  at 
the  age  of  fifteen  years.  Later  he  attended  Monmouth  College 
for  a  few  years.  He  graduated  from  Wooster  University, 
Ohio,  with  the  class  of  1879.  From  there  he  went  to  Allegheny 
Theological  Seminary  and  was  licensed  to  preach  on  June  7, 
1881.  Not  long  after,  he  received  a  call  to  become  the  pastor 
of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  at  Richmond,  Indiana, 
was  ordained,  and  was  installed  June  3,  1882.  Dr.  Gilchrist 
lived  at  Richmond  until  October  11,  1895,  when  he  accepted 
a  call  to  the  Central  United  Presbyterian  Church  at  Omaha, 
Nebraska,  and  began  his  pastorate  there  in  1895. 

June  28,  1899,  he  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  correspond- 
ing secretary  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Board  of  Home  Mis- 
sions, with  headquarters  in  Allegheny,  Pennsylvania.  He  died 
January  27,  1907,  soon  after  his  return  from  a  visit  to  the 
missions  of  Wyoming. 

ANDREW  (3)  GILCHRIST,  born  March  22,  1856,  mar- 
ried first,  December  26,  1890,  Elizabeth  M.  (8)  Stewart,  a 
daughter  of  Alexander  M.  Stewart  and  Jane  Collins. 

Child: 

i.  Alexander  Stewart  (4). 


126 


The  Graham  Family 
The  Graham  Family 

In  the  seventeenth  century  some  of  the  Graham  families  of 
Scotland  took  refuge  in  northern  Ireland  because  of  religious 
persecution.  They  accepted  the  Presbyterian   faith. 

In  1774,  John  and  William  Graham,  brothers,  sailed  from 
County  Down,  Ireland,  near  Belfast,  for  America,  for  the 
same  reason  that  the  Reverend  Thomas  Clark,  M.  D.,  and 
his  congregation  of  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterians  had  so  'done 
nine  years  previously — on  account  of  persecution  by  the  Estab- 
lished Church. 

John  and  William  and  their  families  had  a  long  and  tedious 
voyage  of  sixteen  weeks  in  a  sailing  vessel,  being  driven  hither 
and  thither  by  storms,  among  icebergs  in  the  northern  Atlantic. 
Provisions  ran  short  and  were  dealt  out  to  them  in  scant 
measure.  Because  of  such  extreme  hardships  some  of  their  chil- 
dren died  and  were  buried  at  sea.  They  landed  at  last  in  New 
York  City.  From  lack  of  facilities  for  transportation,  per- 
haps, or  more  probably  from  lack  of  funds,  they  made  their 
way  on  foot  for  two  hundred  miles  north  and  settled  in  Wash- 
ington County,  New  York,  within  the  bounds  of  Dr.  Clark's 
congregation  at  Salem. 

WILLIAM  (1)  GRAHAM,  the  ancestor  of  the  Grahams 
who  came  to  Somonauk,  was  born  in  the  north  of  Ireland, 
March  17,  1750.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Mary 
McBurney,  was  born  about  the  same  date.  They  appear  to  have 
married  before  they  were  twenty  years  of  age.  William  en- 
tered the  Continental  army.  His  description  of  a  night  of  hard- 
ship during  the  Revolution  follows. 

"One  morning  we  were  ordered  to  march.  It  was  a  cold 
rainy  day  throughout.  Late  at  night  we  were  ordered  to  halt, 
to  wrap  in  our  blankets,  if  we  were  so  fortunate  to  have  one, 
and  lie  on  the  ground  to  sleep  without  fire  or  light,  for  the 
enemy  was  near. 

127 


Somonauk  Church 

"We  were  all  soaked  with  rain.  It  turned  bitter  cold  in  the 
night,  and  in  the  morning  when  ordered  to  arise  my  hair  (then 
worn  long)  and  that  of  many  others,  was  frozen  to  the  ground. 
The  blankets  were  also  frozen  around  us  so  it  was  difficult  to 
unfasten  them.  Severe  colds  were  contracted  that  night  from 
which  some  of  the  men  never  fully  recovered." 

William  and  his  wife  joined  Dr.  Clark's  church  at  Salem 
and  were  members  until  the  union  between  the  Associate  and 
the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  (called  the  Associate 
Reformed)  in  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century.  Not 
all  members  of  each  denomination  joined  the  union,  thus 
making  three  denominations  instead  of  one,  the  Associate,  the 
Associate  Reformed,  and  the  Reformed  Presbyterians. 

William  Graham  and  family  severed  their  connection  with 
the  Salem  church  and  joined  the  organization  of  the  Associate 
Church  of  Coila,  a  few  miles  from  Salem,  which  was  organ- 
ized in  1785.  William  became  an  elder  there  in  1800,  and  in 
1807  signed  the  call  for  Dr.  Bullions,  who  remained  pastor 
at  Coila  for  fifty  years. 

On  September  30,  1817,  William  and  wife,  his  son  George, 
with  his  wife  and  seven  children,  and  his  wife's  sister  Margaret, 
left  Cambridge,  New  York,  some  in  a  wagon  and  some  on 
horseback,  and  after  six  weeks  of  travel  over  rough  roads  and 
almost  trackless  wilderness,  reached  Franklin  County  in  cen- 
tral Ohio.  There  they  settled  in  the  heavily  timbered  woods  and 
cleared  a  farm  in  the  new  country.  It  had  been  a  tiresome  jour- 
ney; George  Graham's  wife  told  a  granddaughter  that  she 
rode  on  horseback  hundreds  of  miles,  carrying  a  baby  in  her 
arms,  while  another  child  was  born  soon  after  the  family 
reached  Ohio. 

William  and  his  wife  were  charter  members  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Church  of  Truro,  Franklin  County,  Ohio,  organized  in 
1817.  He  was  one  of  the  first  elders.  Pioneers  in  the  virgin 
woods  of  two  states,  New  York  and  Ohio,  they  lived  useful 

128 


The  Graham  Family 

lives,  and  there  are  today  about  two  thousand  of  their  living 
descendants  in  the  United  States. 
Children: 

i.  John  W.   (2),  born  May  2,   1775. 
ii.   George,  born  June  2,  1777.  (Seepage  141.) 

JOHN  W.  (2)  GRAHAM  was  born  in  Salem,  Washington 
County,  New  York,  May  2,  1775,  and  died  near  Reynolds- 
burg,  Ohio,  May  29,  1848;  he  married  in  Washington  County, 
New  York,  about  1797,  Margaret,  daughter  of  James  Irvine 
of  Cambridge,  New  York;  born  March  29,  1779;  died  in 
Washington  County,  New  York,  March  5,  1823. 
Children: 

i.   William  Irvine  (3),  born  July  29,   1798;   died  June 
3,  1877;  married  Apr.  17,  1821,  Eunice  Gillette; 
born  Dec.  7,  1798,  who  was  a  descendant  of  Rev. 
Guillaume  Gillette,  a  French  Huguenot,  who,  to 
avoid  religious  persecution,   fled   from  France   to 
America  in   1688. 
ii.  James,  born  Dec.  10,  1799;  died  May  6,  1830;  mar- 
ried Feb.  28,  1823,  Jane  Adams  McLean, 
iii.   Mary,  born  Aug.  10,  1802;  died  Jan.  24,  1832. 
iv.   Robert,  born  Mar.  14,  1805.  (Seepage  132.) 
v.  Nancy  A.,  born  Aug.   7,   1807;   died  June   1,    1893; 
married   Feb.    28,    1830,    James   Ferguson.    (See 
page  115.) 
vi.  John  G.,  born  Oct.  25,   1809;   died  Aug.   19,   1849; 

married  July  5,  1837,  Fannie  Williamson, 
vii.   George  D.,  born  Jan.  8,  1812.  (See  page  138.) 
viii.   Rosanna,  born  May  7,  1814.  (See  page  139.) 
ix.   Charity  Irvine,  born  Aug.    11,    1816;    died  Jan.    14, 
1849;  married  Jan.  18,  1836,  David  Miller  Dob- 
bin. (See  page  110.) 
x.   Elizabeth  Jane,  born  Aug.   14,   1818;   died  Mar.   13, 
1890;   married  Mar.  24,   1840,  James  Mclntyre! 

129 


Somonauk  Church 

WILLIAM  IRVINE  (3)  GRAHAM,  eldest  child  of  John 
W.  and  Margaret  (Irvine)  Graham,  was  born  July  29,  1798, 
near  Salem,  Washington  County,  New  York;  married  April 
17,  1821,  Eunice  Gillette;  born  December  7,  1798.  Mrs. 
Graham  has  an  interesting  ancestry.  Her  great-grandfather, 
Guillaume  Gillette,  a  Huguenot  clergyman  and  physician, 
came  to  America  from  France  in  1688,  being  driven  from 
there  by  religious  persecution.  Settling  in  Connecticut,  he  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Welsh  of  that  state.  His  son,  Elisha,  a  Baptist 
minister,  married  a  daughter  of  Lieutenant-Governor  Buck- 
ingham. Their  son,  Fidelio  Buckingham,  married  Tabitha 
Dunham,  a  descendant  of  the  Puritans  of  New  England. 
They  removed  to  Washington  County,  New  York,  where  they 
reared  their  family. 

Child: 

i.  Abner  Warner  (4),  born  Feb.  7,  1840. 

William  Irvine  (3)  Graham  and  his  wife  removed  to  Put- 
nam, near  Lake  George,  where  they  bought  a  farm.  Later 
they  lost  the  farm  because  of  a  defective  title  and  had  to  start 
at  the  bottom  again.  They  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  chil- 
dren, one  of  whom  is  the  subject  of  the  following  sketch. 

ABNER  WARNER  (4)  GRAHAM,  born  February  7, 
1840;  died  January  25,  1925,  at  Riverside,  California;  mar- 
ried at  Reynoldsburg,  Ohio,  November  6,  1866,  Mary  For- 
rester; born  June  20,  1847,  near  Reynoldsburg,  Ohio;  died 
April  5,  1917,  at  her  home  in  Tarkio,  Missouri.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  the  Reverend  Robert  Forrester,  twenty-two  years 
a  pastor  in  Reynoldsburg. 
Children: 

i.  Nellie  L.  (5) 

ii.   Margaret. 

iii.  William  Forrester,  a  minister  and  a  poet. 

iv.  John  Gillette,  a  banker. 

130 


The  Graham  Family 

Abner  Warner  Graham  came  with  his  father's  family  from 
Washington  County,  New  York,  to  Reynoldsburg,  Ohio,  May 
12,   1852.  He  worked  on  the  farm  and  attended  the  district 
school.  A  bright,  active  mind,  he  was  a  diligent  student  and 
an  exhaustive  reader,  so  that  when  he  was  seventeen  years  of 
age  he  began  to  teach  school.  His  first  school  was  large,  about 
sixty  pupils,  ranging  from  small  children  to  adults,  and  his 
wages  were  $3.50  per  week.  This  was  the  spring  of   1857, 
when  the  wages  of  the  laborer  were  very  meager.  He  continued 
teaching  during  the  school  year  of  five  or  six  months  and 
worked  as  a  laborer  the  rest  of  the  time.  In  the  spring  of  1861, 
for  a  few  months,  he  attended  Central  College,  Iberia,  Ohio; 
where  ex-President  Harding  afterward  attended.  The  Civil 
War  broke  out  that  spring,  and  after  fulfilling  his  previous 
engagement  to  teach  a  winter  and  spring  term   he   enlisted 
May  31,  1862,  in  Company  A,  50th  Regiment,  Ohio  Volun- 
teers Infantry,  and  served  to  the  end  of  the  war.  His  regiment 
was  almost  constantly  in  the  field,  the  first  two  years  in  Ken- 
tucky and  Tennessee  and  then  with  General  Sherman  through 
to  Atlanta.  At  Atlanta  his  corps  was  detached  and  went  with 
General  Thomas  to  subdue  the  Confederate  army  of  the  West. 
At  Franklin  the  opposing  armies  were  in  hand-to-hand  combat 
with  bayonets  and  swords.  During  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and 
while  with  General  Thomas  in  the  West,  he  commanded  his 
corps,  his  superior  officers  being,  one  in  the  hospital,  and  the 
other  on  detached  duty. 

At  this  time  his  regiment  was  so  reduced  that  on  January  1, 
1865,  it  was  consolidated  with  the  99th  O.  V.  I.  When  they 
were  no  longer  needed  in  the  West,  his  corps,  the  23rd,  was 
sent  east  by  way  of  Washington  and  the  coast  to  North  Caro- 
lina to  join  Sherman's  army  as  it  came  north  from  Savannah 
after  the  "March  to  the  Sea."  The  trip  was  one  of  hardship— 
by  boat  from  southern  Tennessee  to  Cincinnati.  From  there  to 
Washington  by  freight  train  in  the  dead  of  winter,  without 

131 


Somonauk  Church 

fire,  with  insufficient  clothing;  they  were  a  week  on  the  way. 
En  route  through  Ohio  he  passed  within  two  miles  of  his 
father's  home.  At  Washington  they  took  a  steamer  and  in  four 
days  more  the  corps  landed  near  Wilmington,  North  Carolina, 
from  which  place  they  marched  across  the  country  to  Golds- 
boro,  where  they  joined  General  Sherman's  army.  Ordered  to 
march  out  after  Confederate  General  Johnston's  army,  they 
had  reached  Raleigh,  North  Carolina,  when  the  news  of  Lee's 
surrender  caused  general  rejoicing.  They  lay  at  Raleigh  until 
the  surrender  of  Johnston's  army,  which  closed  the  war,  but 
were  not  discharged  until  July  17,  1865. 

In  1868,  with  his  wife  and  child,  Mr.  Graham  came  to 
De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  with  Culver 
Brothers  as  a  salesman  in  their  general  store  in  Sandwich.  They 
at  once  joined  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Somonauk, 
of  which  they  were  useful  members  for  many  years. 

In  1882  he  went  into  a  mercantile  partnership  in  Biggsville, 
Illinois.  In  the  fall  of  1884  he  was  elected  on  the  Republican 
ticket  to  the  lower  house  of  the  legislature  as  a  representative 
of  the  24th  district,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Hancock, 
Henderson  and  Mercer.  In  1888  with  his  family  he  removed 
to  Tarkio,  Missouri,  where  for  seventeen  years  he  was  a  sales- 
man in  the  general  store  of  Rankin,  Travis  &  Company.  In 
1906  ill  health  obliged  him  to  resign  his  position  and  spent  the 
summer  in  Colorado.  Having  partly  recovered,  he  returned  to 
Tarkio  and  accepted  the  position  of  librarian  of  Tarkio  Col- 
lege, which  he  held  for  eleven  years,  when  he  resigned  and 
lived  a  retired  life  until  his  death  in  1925.  Abner  W.  Graham 
was  a  ruling  elder  in  the  church  for  more  than  thirty  years, 
and  a  man  of  unblemished  character,  always  exerting  a  strong 
influence  in  righteous  causes. 

ROBERT  (3)  GRAHAM  was  born  March  14,  1805,  in 
Washington  County,  New  York;  died  in  De  Kalb  County, 
Illinois,  February  15,  1891;  married  March  20,  1834,  Sarah 

132 


The  Graham  Family 

Williamson;  born  June  10,  1813,  in  Putnam,  Washington 
County,  New  York;  died  October  27,  1911,  aged  ninety-eight 
years.  Mrs.  Graham  is  buried  beside  her  husband  in  Oak  Mound 
Cemetery.  Her  father,  Daniel  Williamson,  from  Cromarty, 
Scotland,  and  her  mother,  Margaret  Ray,  from  County  Down, 
Ireland,  met  in  Washington  County,  New  York,  were  mar- 
ried there  early  in  the  nineteenth  century,  and  are  buried  in 
Putnam  Cemetery. 

In  1837  Robert  with  his  wife  and  one  child  removed  from 
Washington  County,  New  York,  to  Reynoldsburg,  Ohio, 
where  they  lived  for  nearly  thirteen  years.  In  the  spring  of 
1850  he  brought  his  family  to  Somonauk,  Illinois,  and  settled 
on  a  new  prairie  farm  in  Victor  township,  De  Kalb  County, 
Illinois. 

They  were  the  thirty-fourth  and  thirty-fifth  members  en- 
rolled in  the  Somonauk  church.  Their  children  all  became 
members  of  the  same  church. 

Children : 

i.   Margaret    (4),   born  June    15,    1837,   in   New  York 

state, 
ii.   Mary  Ann,  born  Dec.  5,  1841,  in  Ohio. 

iii.  Andrew,  born  Dec.  9,  1844,  in  Ohio. 

iv.  Russell,  born  Feb.  24,  1847,  in  Ohio;  was  a  minister 
of  the  gospel;  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Divinity,  Westminster  College.  His  first  pastorate 
was  in  Briggsville,  Illinois,  where  he  served  twelve 
and  a  half  years,  when  he  was  called  to  the  chair 
of  Social  Science  in  Monmouth  College,  his  alma 
mater.  He  taught  in  the  college  for  thirty-nine 
years,  when  failing  health  compelled  him  to  resign 
all  his  official  positions  and  give  up  all  work.  One 
year  later,  June  11,  1925,  he  died  in  his  seventy- 
ninth  year. 

v.  James,  born  July  27,  1849,  in  Ohio.  (See  page  137.) 

133 


Somonauk  Church 

ANDREW  (4)  GRAHAM,  third  child  of  Robert  (3)  and 
Sarah  (Williamson)  Graham,  was  born  in  Reynoldsburg, 
Ohio,  on  December  9,  1844.  On  December  26,  1872,  at 
Somonauk,  Illinois,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  Rob- 
ertson MacEachron,  second  child  of  Thomas  and  Margaret 
(Lendrum)  MacEachron;  born  in  Washington  County,  New 
York,  January  10,  1851.  Mrs.  Graham  died  December  7, 
1892. 

Children: 

i.  Walter  (5),  born  Dec.  21,  1874;  unmarried, 
ii.   Bertha  Jean,  born  Feb.   14,  1876;  married  near  Au- 
rora,   111.,    Duncan    Stewart    MacDougall;    born 
June  30,  1879,  in  Washington  County,  N.  Y. 

Children: 

i.   Clyde  Graham  (6)  MacDougall,  born  Oct.  14> 

1903. 
ii.   Mary  Esther  MacDougall,  born  July  18,  1905. 
iii.   Everette   Stewart  MacDougall,   born   May  29, 

1911. 

iv.  James  Verne  MacDougall,  born  Dec.  18,  1916.. 

v.   Eugene  Roger  MacDougall,  born  Dec.  3,  1919. 

iii.   Sarah  Williamson  (5),  born  July  29,  1877;  married 

Apr.  10,  1892,  Frank  M.  Johnson;  born  Sept.  25,. 

1877. 

Children: 

i.  Lloyd  Lendrum  Johnson   (6),  born  Aug.  28, 

1905. 
ii.  Ross  Graham  Johnson,  born  July  4,  1907. 
iii.  Frank  Kenneth  Johnson,  born  Aug.  9,  1910. 
iv.  Josephene  Mary  Johnson,  born  Dec.  1,  1912. 
iv.  Thomas  H.  (5),  born  June  25,  1880;  married  Mar. 
21,  1900,  Vida  Louise  Davenport;  born  Feb.  14,, 
1884. 

134 


Andrew  Graham  and  Wife 
(Mary  Robertson  MacEachron) 


Mrs.  George  Howison  (Margaret  Brown)       Mrs.  R.  W.  French 
Charter  Member 


(Nancy  Pollock) 


The  Graham  Family 

Children: 

i.   Myrtle  Leone  (6),  born  Sept.  22,   1901;  mar- 
ried Oct.    15,    1924,  Joseph  George  Hajek; 
born  Feb.  14,  1902. 
Child: 

i.  Jael  George  (7),  born  Apr.  5,  1926. 
ii.  Thomas  Carlton,  born  Mar.  15,   1915. 
v.   Margaret   (5),  born  July  22,    1885;    died  Nov.    12, 

1887. 
yi.   Hazel,  born  Oct.  22,  1888;  married  Nov.  28,  1906, 
Ruel  Horace  Mighell;  born  June  21,  1884. 
Children: 

i.  Elizabeth   Mary   Mighell    (6),   born   May    17, 

1909. 
ii.   Stanley  Graham  Mighell,  born  May  16,   1910. 
iii.   Mona  May  Mighell,  born  June  16,  1912. 
In  his  history  of  the  Graham  family,  Hon.  A.  W.  Graham 
says  of  Andrew  Graham,  in  part: 

"Andrew  Graham  came  with  his  father's  family  to  De  Kalb 
County,  Illinois,  in  1850.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm 
in  those  pioneer  days  when  the  prairie  was  new  and  settlers 
were  few.  His  early  opportunities  for  school  were  scant,  as  is 
true  in  all  new  countries.  Schoolhouses  were  few  and  far  be- 
tween when  first  erected.  For  several  years  many  children  had 
to  go  long  distances  to  school,  but  their  course  was  'as  the  crow 
flies' — in  a  trail  of  their  own  making  through  the  long  grass 
in  the  summer  and  across  the  snow-covered  prairie  in  winter. 
A  boy  got  only  a  few  winter  months  of  schooling  after  he  had 
reached  the  age  of  nine  or  ten  years  as  he  must  help  earn  the 
living. 

"Such  was  the  lot  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  It  was  a 
struggle  to  live  so  far  out  on  the  border  of  civilization  in  ad- 
vance of  the  railroad. 

"Mr.  Graham's  very  interesting  account  of  the  early  settle- 

135 


Somonauk  Church 

ments  and  the  establishment  of  the  district  school,  read  before 
various  Parent-Teachers'  associations,  illustrates  many  of  the 
difficulties  with  which  the  first  homeseekers  of  a  new  country 
had  to  contend.  (A  brief  extract  from  this  will  be  found  in  the 

appendix.) 

"Andrew  worked  on  the  farm  until  twenty-three  years  of 
age,  when,  desiring  a  better  education,  he  took  the  money  he 
had  earned  and  entered  Monmouth  College,  where  he  remained 
three  years.  While  he  has  engaged  in  farming  the  greater  part 
of  his  life,  he  was  always  deeply  interested  in  education,  and 
himself  taught  school  for  a  period  equivalent  to  sixteen  school 
years.  Deriving  much  pleasure  and  profit  from  intellectual 
pursuits,  he  has  used  his  education  for  the  advancement  of 
others  and  has  written  extensively  for  religious  and  local  papers. 
His  fellow-townsmen  testify  to  Mr.  Graham's  usefulness  in 
the  communities  where  he  has  lived.  The  writer  of  these  lines 
is  indebted  to  him  for  much  data  in  writing  his  history  of  the 
Graham  family  from  William  Graham,  born  in  the  middle  of 
the  eighteenth  century,  down  to  the  present  time. 

"Andrew  Graham  joined  the  Somonauk  United  Presbyterian 
Church  in  1864,  was  a  ruling  elder  in  Aurora,  Illinois,  for 
fourteen  years,  and  was  once  a  delegate  from  the  Chicago 
Presbytery  to  the  General  Assembly  at  Knoxville,  Tennessee. 
Now  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Waterman, 
Illinois,  he  was  sent  by  the  Ottawa  Presbytery  as  a  delegate 
to  the  Presbyterian  General  Assembly  which  met  in  Indianap- 
olis in  1923.  Mr.  Graham  has  been  for  over  forty  years 
a  teacher  in  the  Sabbath  School,  the  most  of  the  time  having 
classes  of  young  people,  and  is  still  in  the  work,  active  in  body 
and  mind. 

"Mr.  Graham's  wife,  Mary,  a  lovely  woman,  was  a  real 
home-maker  and  a  pleasant  companion.  Having  graced  his  home 
for  twenty  years,  she  was  taken  to  her  eternal  home,  leaving  a 
void  that  cannot  be  effaced." 

136 


The  Graham  Family 

Those  who  remember  her  will  no  doubt  agree  that  Burns' 
lines  to  another  Mary  might  well  have  been  written  about 
Mary  Robertson: 

"The  golden  hours,  on  angels'  wings, 
Flew  o'er  me  and  my  dearie; 
For  dear  to  me,  as  light  and  life, 
Was  my  sweet  Highland  Mary." 

JAMES  (4)  GRAHAM,  fifth  child  of  Robert  and  Sarah 
(Williamson)  Graham,  born  in  Reynoldsburg,  Ohio,  July  27, 
1849;  married  November  25,  1875,  Anna  Jeannette  Mac- 
Eachron;  born  in  Washington  County,  New  York,  Decem- 
ber 27,  1853. 

Children: 

i.  Archibald  Lendrum  (5),  born  Jan.  6,  1877;  died  Dec. 
27,  1920;  married  June  14,  1906,  Mazie  Sprague; 
born  at  Columbus  Junction,  Iowa,  May  23,  1885. 
A  minister  of  the  gospel,  the  Reverend  Mrf  Gra- 
ham was  taken  away  in  the  midst  of  a  successful 
career. 
Children : 

i.  Alice  Elizabeth  (6),  born  Apr.  27,  1908. 
ii.   Mary  Farley,  born  June  16,  1915. 
ii.   Cornelia,    born    Aug.    17,    1879;    married    Feb.    19, 
1903,    Wallace   Graham;    born   Mar.    29,    1880. 
Wallace  Graham  was  originally  a   farmer,  later 
a  merchant  in  Butler,  Ind. 
Children: 

i.  Janet  Graham  (6),  born  July  10,  1906. 
ii.  Annabelle  Graham,  born  Nov.  27,   1913. 
iii.   Wallace  Paul  Graham,  born  Nov.  27,  1916. 
Hi.  George  Verner,  born  Mar.  27,   1885;  unmarried, 
iv.   Mary,   born  Sept.   6,    1886;    married  Jan.  20,    1916, 
Harper  Buhler;  born  Oct.  10,  1886. 

137 


Somonauk.  Church 

Child: 

i.   Mary  Annette  Buhler  (6),  born  Oct.  17,  1920. 
v.   Ross,  born  Aug.   12,   1888;   married  Dec.   18,   1913, 
Marguerita  Kutzner;  born  July  31,  1894. 

Children: 

i.  Edna  Jeannette  (6),  an  adopted  daughter,  born 

Nov.  9,  1921. 
ii.  Robert  Ross,  born  to  them  Sept.  6,  1926. 

GEORGE  D.  (3)  GRAHAM  was  born  January  8,  1812,  in 
Washington  County,  New  York;  died  June  6,  1852,  in  Reyn- 
oldsburg,  Ohio;  married  October  7,  1833,  Amelia  Dean  Seely, 
of  Washington  County,  New  York,  who  died  in  Ohio  in  1 846. 

Child: 

i.  James  (4),  born  Feb.  28,  1836. 

JAMES  (4)  GRAHAM,  eldest  child  of  George  D.  (3)  and 
Amelia  D.  Graham,  was  born  in  Reynoldsburg,  Ohio,  Feb- 
ruary 28,  1836.  After  the  death  of  his  father,  in  1852,  James 
came  to  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  and  made  his  home  with 
his  uncle,  Robert  Graham.  He  worked  for  Thomas  G.  Bev- 
eridge  on  the  George  Beveridge  homestead  during  the  working 
season  for  two  years  for  thirteen  dollars  per  month — good 
wages  at  that  time  for  a  seventeen-year-old  boy.  As  long  as 
he  lived,  James  spoke  of  "Tom"  Beveridge  as  a  very  kind  man. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church, 
later  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  the  chorister 
of  this  church  for  some  years.  He  married  in  December,  1857, 
Sarah  (2)  McAllister,  daughter  of  James  (1)  McAllister 
and  Jane  Dobbin. 

Children: 

i.   A  daughter  (5)  who  died  in  infancy. 

138 


The  Graham  Family 

ii.  Jennie  Millie,  born  Nov.  18,  1862;  married  Mar.  7, 
1883,  A.  H.  Nichol,  at  Morning  Sun,  Iowa.  Mrs. 
Nichol  lives  with  a  daughter,  Mrs.  Erma  Howden, 
in  Los  Angeles.  For  years  she  has  been  city  mis- 
sionary for  the  First  United  Presbyterian  Church 
of  that  city. 
Children: 

i.  Ethel  (6)  Nichol.  iii.   Helen  Nichol. 

ii.  Erma  Nichol. 
iii.  George    Dean,    born    Apr.    28,    1865,    in    De    Kalb 
County,  Illinois.  Unmarried.  Lives  in  Seattle  and 
is   a   member   of    the    First    United    Presbyterian 
Church  of  that  city. 
After  a  long  illness  James  (4)   Graham  died,  March  30, 
1870,  at  the  age  of  thirty- four,  and  was  buried  in  Oak  Mound 
Cemetery.   Some  years  later  his   widow  sold   the   farm   and 
removed  to  Seattle,  Washington.  She  died  there  July  28,  1918. 
ROSANNAH  (3)  GRAHAM,  eighth  child  of  John  W.  (2) 
and  Margaret   (Irvine)   Graham,  and  the  granddaughter  of 
William    (1)    and   Mary   McBurney   Graham,   was   born   in 
Washington  County,  New  York,  May  7,  1814;  died  Septem- 
ber 2,   1892,  on  a  farm  near  Viola,  Kansas;    married  first, 
probably  in  Ohio,  May  5,   1835,  a  distant  relative,  George 
Graham;  born  about  1812  in  Washington  County,  New  York, 
who  died  in  the  middle  '40s  at  Reynoldsburg,   Ohio.   Mrs! 
Graham  supported  the  family  by  sewing  and  gave  all  the  chil- 
dren a  common  school  education.  In  1855  she  married  George 
Frazier  and  removed  to  Clinton  township,  De  Kalb  County, 
Illinois.  She  married  as  her  third  husband  Robert  Nelson  and 
the  family  removed  to  Kansas  in  the  70s. 
Children : 

i.   Margaret  Jane  (4)  Graham,  born  Dec.  24,  1836. 
ii.  James  Robertson  Graham,  born  Oct.  9,  1839. 
iii.   Nancy  Mary  Graham,   born   March    15,    1842.    (See 
Page  141.) 


Somonauk  Church 

MARGARET  JANE  (4)  GRAHAM,  born  December  24, 
1836,  at  Reynoldsburg,  Ohio;  died  November,  1879,  near 
Viola,  Kansas;  married  February  22,  1854,  John  R.  Livings- 
ton, born  about  1820  in  Washington  County,  New  York;  died 
June  15,  1894,  at  Viola,  Kansas.  (See  Livingston  in  Ap- 
pendix.) 

Children:         i.  George  R.  (5)  Livingston. 

ii.  William  Robertson  Livingston, 
iii.   James  G.  Livingston, 
iv.   Belle  Livingston, 
v.   Nancy  Jeannette  Livingston, 
vi.   Alexander  Livingston, 
vii.   Rebecca  Jane  Livingston, 
viii.   Mary  Livingston, 
ix.   Robert  John  Livingston. 
One  little  girl  died  in  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  and  was 
laid  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

JAMES  ROBERTSON  (4)  GRAHAM,  born  at  Reynolds- 
burg, Ohio,  October  19,  1839;  died  at  his  home  in  Wichita, 
Kansas,  February  7,  1912;  married  Margaret  Jane  More, 
born  in  Putnam,  Washington  County,  New  York,  July  24, 
1842;  died  at  her  home  near  Viola,  Kansas,  November  12, 
1891. 

Children:        i.   Wallace  More  (5).       v.   Rose  Marie, 
ii.   Nettie  Marian.  vi.   Paul  Eugene, 

iii.   George  Ernest.  vii.   Myrtle  Jessie, 

iv.  Joseph  Thompson. 

James  R.  Graham  for  many  years  was  a  ruling  elder  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  his  home,  on  the  virgin  prairie  of 
Kansas,  in  Sedgwick  County,  was  the  place  of  worship  until 
the  membership  grew  in  numbers  and  means,  and  was  strong 
enough  to  build  a  house  of  worship.  He  taught  vocal  music 
for  many  years,  in  addition  to  other  occupations. 

140 


The  Graham  Family 

Mr.  Graham  married  second,  November  27,    1895,   Cora 
Hamilton.  Mrs.  Graham  still  lives  in  Wichita. 

NANCY  MARY  (4)  GRAHAM  was  botu  in  Reynoldsburg, 
Ohio,  March  15,  1842;  died  in  the  hospital  at  Wichita,  No- 
vember 10,  1907;  married  in  Peotone,  Will  County,  Illinois, 
in  1865,  William  Gilkerson  Shaw;  born  in  Barnet,  Caladonia 
County,  Vermont,  January  15,  1845.  No  children  were  born 
to  them,  and  they  adopted  two  great-nephews,  Robert  and 
Gordon  Moore,  sons  of  Ralph  P.  Moore,  who  was  the  hus- 
band of  Belle  Livingston,  daughter  of  Thomas  (4)  Graham. 

GEORGE  (2)  GRAHAM,  second  son  of  William  (1)  and 
Mary  McBurney  Graham,  born  June  2,  1777,  at  Salem,  New 
York;  married  in  1799,  Anna  Cowden.  In  1817  they  removed 
to  Franklin  County,  Ohio.  For  the  account  of  their  journey, 
see  William  (1).  They  had  twelve  children. 
Children : 

i.   Isaac  (3). 

ii.   William.  (Seepage  142.) 
iii.   David.  (Seepage  143.) 

ISAAC  (3)  GRAHAM  married  Nancy  Livingston  at  Reyn- 
oldsburg, Ohio.  To  better  their  financial  condition  the  family 
removed  to  Somonauk,  Illinois,  in  1851,  having  bought  a 
farm  one  and  a  half  miles  west  of  the  church.  There  they  lived 
for  the  rest  of  their  lives  and  died  in  the  last  years  of  the  nine- 
teenth century.  They  had  five  children,  all  born  in  Ohio. 
Children: 

i.  Edward  (4).  iv.   William  John, 

ii.  Alexander.  v.  Anna, 

iii.   Mary  Jane. 

These  have  all  long  since  died,  leaving  two  descendants  at 
the  present  time. 

141 


Somonauk  Church 

In  1854  Isaac  (3)  Graham  was  elected  to  the  office  of 
ruling  elder  in  the  Associate  Church.  This  office  he  held  while 
he  lived.  He  was  a  farmer.  He  and  his  family  are  buried  in 
Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

WILLIAM  (3)  GRAHAM  had  Thomas  (4),  born  March 
12,  1828. 

THOMAS  (4)  GRAHAM  [William  (3),  George  (2), 
William  (1)],  born  March  12,  1828,  near  Reynoldsburg, 
Ohio;  died  in  March,  1902;  married  May  10,  1854,  at  Iberia, 
Ohio,  Margaret  Jane  Taylor,  born  February  22,  1830;  died 
in  June,   1896. 

They  came  to  Illinois  in  1856  and  bought  eighty  acres  with 
a  cabin  on  it,  in  Victor  township,  De  Kalb  County,  and  united 
with  the  Somonauk  church.  In  1857  Thomas  was  elected 
a  ruling  elder  in  the  church.  This  office  he  ably  filled  until 
1862,  when  he  moved  back  to  Ohio,  near  Reynoldsburg,  and 
there  engaged  in  farming. 

In  1871  he  removed  to  Indianola,  Iowa,  and  engaged  in 
the  hardware  business,  and  later  in  the  grocery  business,  for 
several  years.  Here  he  was  also  elected  to  the  office  of  ruling 
elder  in  the  church.  He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace  for  several 
years,  a  member  of  the  city  council,  and  a  member  of  the 
board  of  education.  Both  these  later  positions  he  held  for  many 
years. 

In  1887  the  family  removed  to  Viola,  Kansas,  where  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Graham  lived  for  the  rest  of  their  lives.  They  are 
buried  at  Viola. 

Children: 

i.  William  Marshall  (5).         iv.  Andrew  Harper. 


n. 


Martha  Eliza.  v.   May. 


iii.   David  Wilson. 

142 


The  Harper  Family 

DAVID  (3)  GRAHAM,  son  of  George  and  Mary  McBur- 

ney;  married  Nancy . 

Children:  i.  McLean  (4).  iii.  Sarah  Jane, 
ii.  William  B. 
McLEAN  (4)  GRAHAM,  a  brother  of  William  B,  and  wife 
Elizabeth  (Johnson)  settled  in  Somonauk,  but  returned  to 
their  native  state  in  the  latter  part  of  1860.  Leonard  Graham, 
his  son,  has  for  more  than  thirty  years  been  a  professor  in 
Muskingum  College,  at  New  Concord,  Ohio. 

WILLIAM  (4)  BEVERIDGE  GRAHAM,  son  of  David 

and   Nancy  ,    came   to   Somonauk   from   Reynoldshurg, 

Ohio,  about  1855.  His  wife  was  Lucy  Wells. 

SARAH  JANE  GRAHAM,  with  her  brothers  William  and 
McLean,  united  with  the  Associate  Church  in   1856.  There 
Sarah  Jane  taught  school  for  a  time,  then  returned  to  Ohio, 
where  she  married  William  Johnson. 
Child: 

i.  Jesse  Johnson,  who  has  long  been  an  instructor  in  the 
Xenia  Theological  Seminary,  Ohio.  He  has  the  de- 
gree of  Doctor  of  Divinity. 
The   two   brothers   farmed   together,   and   later   purchased 
from  Thaddeus  Carpenter  the  store  at  Freeland  Corners. 

The  Harper  Family 

JAMES  (1)  HARPER,  of  Irish  descent,  his  wife  Elizabeth, 
and  their  first  child,  emigrated  from  the  north  of  Ireland  to 
Argyle  township,  Washington  County,  New  York,  in  1811. 
Mrs.  Harper  was  of  Scotch  descent.  About  1828  the  family 
removed  to  Cayuga  County,  settling  on  a  farm  near  Sterling 
Children:  * 

i.  Thomas  (2),  born  in  Ireland  in  1811. 
ii.   Robert  H.,  born  in  Argyle  township,  N.  Y.,  Tune  1 1 
1813. 

143 


Somonauk  Church 

iii.  William,  born  in  Argyle  township,  N.  Y.,  June   19, 

1815.  (Seepage  146.) 
iv.   James  B.,  born  in  Argyle  township,  N.  Y.,  June  19, 

1819.  (Seepage  147.) 

THOMAS  (2)  HARPER  emigrated  from  Cayuga  County, 
New  York,  to  Peoria,  Illinois,  about  1840,  removing  to  Paw 
Paw  township,  De  Kalb  County,  in  1842.  He  settled  on  sec- 
tions 13  and  14  and  engaged  in  stock-farming  until  1877, 
when  he  moved  to  Shabbona  Station.  In  1880  he  took  up  res- 
idence in  Wichita,  Kansas,  where  he  lived  for  the  remainder 
of  his  life. 

Mr.    Harper    married    first,    Sarah    Holt;    second,    Hattie 
Becker. 

Child  by  first  marriage: 

i.  Norman  (3). 
Thomas   (2)   Harper,  with  his  brothers  and  a  few  others, 
was  instrumental  in  founding  a  United  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Ross  Grove  in  1855,  where  a  house  of  worship  was  erected 
in  1861. 

ROBERT  H.  (2)  HARPER,  born  July  11,  1813;  died 
1882;  removed  to  Cayuga  County,  New  York,  with  his  parents 
when  fifteen  years  of  age,  where  on  March  20,  1840,  he 
married  first,  Ann  Oswald;  born  July  10,  1817;  died  in  May, 
1847.  Mr.  Harper  moved  with  their  children  to  Paw  Paw 
Grove  in  July,  1848,  where  he  took  up  government  land  and 
remained  until  his  death.  (Concluded  page  146.) 

Children: 

i.  James   (3),  born  Jan.   2,    1842,  in  Cayuga  County, 

N.  Y. 
ii.   George,  born  Aug.  3,   1845. 
iii.   Malcolm,  died  in  infancy. 

144 


The  Harper  Family 

JAMES    (3)    HARPER,   born  January   2,    1842;    living  in 
1927;  married  March  10,  1869,  Elizabeth  Nisbet;  born  Feb- 
ruary 3,  1848,  in  Paw  Paw  township;  died  May  1,  1927. 
Children: 

i.   George  (4).  a.  Archibald. 

In  excellent  health,  Mr.  Harper  is  living,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-six,  on  his  farm  near  Rollo  village.  Much  of  the  data 
on  the  family  was  narrated  by  him  recently  with  complete 
accuracy.  He  recalled  that  in  1849  and  the  early  '50s  his  father 
frequently  drove  across  the  prairie  twelve  miles  to  attend 
church  services  in  the  schoolhouse  adjacent  to  George  Bever- 
idge's  house  on  Somonauk  Creek.  He  remembers  well  the 
double  log  house,  the  home  of  the  Beveridges.  He  said  he  re- 
membered the  long  sermons  but  little  of  what  the  minister  said 
during  his  boyhood  days.  Many  amusing  incidents  indelibly 
imprinted  in  his  memory  revealed  his  strong  sense  of  humor. 
One  of  these,  which  connects  itself  with  the  little  house  of 
worship,  so  shocked  his  childish  sensibilities  that  his  memory  of 
it  is  photographic. 

The  trail  leading  to  the  schoolhouse  was  lined  on  either  side 
with  a  mass  of  hazel  brush.  One  Sabbath,  when  the  worshipers 
were  separating  after  a  particularly  long  service,  some  on  foot, 
some  in  wagons  drawn  by  oxen,  some  in  horse-drawn  wagons 
a  family  by  the  name  of  Riddle,  who  were  driving  a  pair  of 
spirited  ponies,  furnished  considerable  excitement.  The  women 
of  the  family,  seated  on  boards  across  the  wagon-box,  were  in 
the  back,  while  the  men  sat  in  front.  The  team,  restless  and 
frisky  from  long  standing  tied  to  a  tree,  at  the  words  "Get  up" 
surprised  their  driver  by  jumping  into  a  run,  whipping  into  the 
trail  with  such  speed  that  the  women  slid  from  the  seat  and 
landed  headlong  in  the  brush  at  the  roadside.  Their  position 
was  undignified  in  the  extreme  and  they  were  extricated  from 
the  scraggly  bushes  with  some  difficulty,   their  clothes  being 

145 


Somonauk  Church 

considerably  torn  in  the  process.  Frightened  and  highly  excited, 
their  Christian  fortitude  deserted  them  for  the  moment  and 
Mrs.  Riddle  denounced  the  young  driver  as  a  "blunderbuss." 
The  minister  tried  to  mitigate  her  annoyance  by  expressing 
thankfulness  that  the  results  were  no  worse,  whereupon  the 
lady  went  so  far  as  to  say  that  she  could  be  still  more  thankful 
if  the  affair  had  not  happened  at  all.  Mr.  Harper's  retrospective 
enjoyment  of  this  scene  that  had  so  shocked  his  youthful  ideas 
of  propriety  was  apparent  in  his  twinkling  eye  and  hearty 
laugh. 

GEORGE  (3)  HARPER,  the  second  son  of  Robert  H.  (2) 
and  Ann  Oswald  Harper,  born  August  3,  1845,  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Civil  War  and  was  later  in  the  regular  army.  He  died 
at  the  age  of  twenty-four  years. 

Robert  H.  (2)  Harper  married  second,  October  9,  1852, 
Mrs.  Ann  Anderson,  of  Victor  township;  born  near  Perth, 
Canada,  October  2,  1821.  Ann  had  come  to  Illinois  with  her 
parents,  Robert  and  Janet  Brown,  in  1850.  Robert  Harper 
was  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Ross  Grove,  and  a  ruling  elder  from  the  beginning. 

Children: 

i.   Malcolm  C.   (3)  iii.  Alice  M. 

ii.   Anne  M.  iv.   Robert  B. 

WILLIAM  (2)  HARPER,  born  June  19,  1815,  in  1844 
immigrated  to  Paw  Paw  township,  Illinois,  where  he  entered 
one  hundred  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section  14,  subsequently 
addine  to  it  until  he  had  seven  hundred  twenty  acres  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  July  6,  1881;  married  in  Cayuga  County, 
New  York,  April  25,  1848,  Sarah  Irwin,  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Jane  (Kirk)  Irwin;  born  in  Argyle  township,  Washing- 
ton County,  New  York.  They  were  generous  supporters  of 
the  Ross  Grove  church. 

146 


The  Harper  Family 

Children: 

i.  Mary  J.  (3),  born  Apr.  14,  1849. 
ii.   William,  born  Sept.  1,  1850. 
iii.  Thomas,  born  June  28,  1852. 
iv.  James,  born  Dec.  2,  1853. 
v.  John  K.,  born  July  15,  1856. 

JAMES  B.  (2)  HARPER,  born  in  Argyle  township,  Wash- 
ington County,  New  York,  June  19,  1819;  married  first  in 
Sterling,  New  York,  in  November,  1844,  Elizabeth  Smiley, 
daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (Brown)  Smiley;  born  at 
Lyon's,  Wayne  County,  New  York,  November  26,  1826;  dfed 
October  20,  1852. 
Children: 

i.   Mary  E.  (3),  born  Sept.  26,  1845. 
ii.   Dewitt  C,  born  Dec.  18,  1848. 
iii.  Andrew  G.,  born  Mar.  25,  1849. 
iv.  Thomas  A.,  born  Dec.  18,  1850. 
v.  Alanson  C,  born  Oct.  14,  1852. 

James  B.  (2)  Harper  married  second,  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  Chauncey  and  Sally  (Scott)   Comins,  in  Orange  County, 
New  York,  March  8,  1853. 
Children: 

i.  James  H.  (3),  born  June  22,  1854. 
ii.  Alice  E.,  born  Dec.  7,  1855. 
iii.   William,  born  Apr.  7,  1857. 
iv.   Robert,  born  Aug.   10,   1862. 
v.   Mary  J.,  born  Feb.  13,  1864. 
vi.   Margaret  A.,  born  Nov.  29,   1865. 
vii.   Charles,  born  Apr.  15,  1867. 

The  Harpers  were  all  strong  factors  in  the  Ross  Grove 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  which  continued  to  thrive  for  a 
period  of  twenty-five  years,  the  Reverend  Samuel  Thompson 

147 


Somonauk  Church 

being  pastor  the  greater  part  of  the  time.  As  new  villages  grew 
up  in  the  neighborhood  their  churches  drew  from  its  member- 
ship and,  as  was  inevitable,  the  pioneer  country  church  at  Ross 
Grove  was  dissolved  about  1885  in  favor  of  its  new  neighbors. 
Those  who  had  served  as  ruling  elders  were  Samuel  Kins- 
low,  William  Irwin,  Robert  H.  Harper,  Moses  Bartlett  and 
William  Watson. 

The  Henry  Family 

WILLIAM   (1)   HENRY  and  his  first  wife, 


Oliver,  were  born  and  married  in  Scotland,  came  to  America 
and  settled  in  Washington  County,  New  York. 

Children: 

i.   William  (2).  iv.  John  Vetch, 

ii.   George.  v.   Margaret, 

iii.   Robert.  vi.   Elizabeth. 

William    Henry    married    second,    Eleanor    Robertson,    an 
aunt  of  Ann  Hoy,  Mrs.  George  Beveridge. 

JOHN  VETCH  (2)  HENRY  was  born  in  Scotland  May  1, 
1779;  died  in  Greenwich,  New  York,  October  21,  1846; 
married  in  181 1,  in  Washington  County,  New  York,  Parmelia 
Johnson;  born  May  28,  1788,  in  Rupert,  Vermont;  died  June 
9,  1864.  Their  children  were  all  born  in  Greenwich,  New 
York. 

Children: 

i.  James  (3),  born  Jan.  22,  1812. 
ii.   Mary,  married  James  Henry. 
iii.   Elizabeth,    married    Robert    Oliver    Robertson.    (See 

page  230.) 
iv.   John,  married  Jennette  Fuller. 

v.   Chester,  married  Ellen  Ann  French.   (See  page  121.) 
vi.   Sarah,  married  Thomas  Lamb, 
vii.    Margaret,  married  Thomas  Doig. 

148 


C  <u*>  *-;  g>  ?«  es  «j 


or;^;       «}  bo  u  t:  k- »bh  . 

c^    C    C*5~    rt   rt   rt^   C^">  >-k> 


!"   t!  C   <".*   <£ 

"a 

'C  Soffit   ^..--ic  —  ro&nlj—e         C 


5  u  "^  ^J2  «  ^     -ro"  b  Si  2 

-•  5  "3«0  £    »-    U      ,WvOU 

2  6f  l?—      **    ■  c  m^-.^  P 

■O   r-M        J?  <C  i>        r-,0 


.s§ 


T3      •   60  <U   Cvj-oo 


o    o  — '  ^   "J  * 


^  ?. 


fe  35  io— ^^oDh  ^W  ,^ww^;  t-   Coo   C 


c^   U 


S3  (/2e^S<t;c<  a 


IfcSisi-sJll 


O  ro  vO  Ph 


S^S 


Q,  to  4) 

C  -5  P 


a^W 


B  ^ 


5     •  e^- 


£^£ffi 


.5«J  g£  uDi  c-£-^oo^^^  m 


^^pjW' 


"°    S       ."S!      /'«    r/,^  «^ 


_  So1- '  ^  ^ 

CT5      .-£<_, 


5   go 


<^   6Ci 


Co-      I 

—   ~  ~  —L  _  L?    •       "C  ai7  »T 

cu^   2=-^^   60M5      > 


•^5^E0 


60   E 


-"o  9-J= 


p  a 


»_)  ,o  ^  Q  <  ty?  r^  -^.U  <v)  ftj  X!  H-»r*>  Tt  ^  -* 


The  Henry  Family 

viii.   Parmelia,  married  Clark  Ovett. 
ix.   Thomas,  married  Rose  Sinty. 
x.   William,  married  first,  Mary  L.  Robertson;   second, 

Catherine  Ensign, 
xi.   Anna    Parmelia,    married    William    Robertson     (See 
page  230.)  V 

xii.  John,  second. 

JAMES  (3)  HENRY  was  born  January  22,  1812,  in  Green- 
wich,  New  York;  died  July  6,  1899,  in  Somonauk,  Illinois- 
married  October  26,  1837,  in  Washington  County,  New 
York,  Jennett  Beveridge,  born  May  5,  1813,  at  Cambridge 
New  York;  died  December  2,  1901,  at  Somonauk,  Illinois! 
Both  are  buried  at  Oak  Mound  Cemetery.  Their  portraits  face 
page   120. 

James  (3)  Henry  and  his  wife,  Jennett  (Beveridge) 
Henry,  came  to  Somonauk  in  the  spring  of  1853  and  bought  a 
farm  one  mile  north  and  east  of  Somonauk  village.  They 
united  with  the  Associate  Church  by  certificate.  Their  children 
became  members  of  the  same  church. 
Children: 

i.   Anna  Mary   (4),  born  Dec.  30y   1838,  at  Lakeville 
N.  Y.;  died  Feb.  23,  1909;  married  Jan.  1,  1863 
Henry  M.  Winter.  He  died  Dec.  8,  1900,  in  Iowa! 
Children : 

i.  Anna  Lydia  (5)  Winter,  born  Oct.  28,   1863. 

".   Albert  C.  Winter,  born  Oct.  5,  1866.  For  ten 

years    has    been    the    superintendent    of    the 

O.  M.  Cemetery. 

in.   William    Winter,    born    Mar.    9,    1869;    died 

June—,  1869. 
iv.   Martha  Winter,  born  Nov.  18,  1872. 
v.  Jannette  Winter,  born  May  17,   1875. 

James  Henry  Winter,  born  Mar.   11,  1877. 

149 


VI. 


Somonauk  Church 

ii.  Parmelia,  born  July  3,  1840,  at  Lakeville,  N.  Y.; 
died  May  30,  1841. 

iii.  Isabella  Beveridge,  born  May  10,  1842,  at  Lake- 
ville, N.  Y.;  married  Sept.  3,  1868,  William  C. 
Norcross,  of  Monmouth,  111.  Mr.  Norcross  was  an 
attorney  at  law.  He  died  Dec.  6,  1913. 

Children: 

i.  Hiram  (5)  Norcross. 
ii.   Sara  Norcross. 
iii.  James  Norcross. 

iv.  John  Vetch,  born  July  27,  1844. 

v.  George  B.,  born  Sept.  26,  1846,  at  Lakeville,  N.  Y.; 
died  unmarried  Mar.  31,  1897. 

vi.  Sarah  T.  L.,  born  Sept.  15,  1848,  at  Lakeville,  N.  Y.; 
died  July  4,  1925,  in  Viola,  Kan.;  married  in 
October,  1881,  Ebenezer  E.  Mitchell.  He  died 
Dec.  23,  1903,  in  Viola,  Kan. 

vii.  Philomelia  J.,  born  Nov.  13,  1850,  at  Lakeville, 
N.  Y.;  died  July  18,  1919,  at  Viola,  Kan.;  mar- 
ried Nov.  2,  1871,  James  Doig  Orr,  who  died 
Dec.  21,  1874.  (See  page  207.)  She  married 
second,  Oct.  24,  1889,  Rev.  James  S.  Turnbull. 
He  died  Sept.  17,  1922. 

viii.  Agnes  R.,  born  Jan.  25,  1853,  at  Lakeville,  N.  Y.; 
married  Dec.  28,  1876,  Easton  Kirkpatrick.  (See 
page  166.) 
ix.  Margaret  Elizabeth,  born  Apr.  11,  1857,  at 
Somonauk,  111.;  married  Jan.  31,  1884,  Hampton 
E.White, who  died  Nov.  15, 1927.  (See  page  238.) 
x.  Minnie  J.,  born  at  Somonauk,  111.,  Aug.  17,  1859; 
died  Aug.  2,  1886. 

JOHN  VETCH  (4)  HENRY  was  born  July  27,  1844,  at 
Lakeville,  New  York,  and  came  to  Somonauk  with  his  parents 

150 


The  Henry  Family 

in  the  spring  of  1854,  when  in  his  tenth  year.  He  worked  on 
the  farm  in  the  summer  and  went  to  school  in  the  winter  term. 

In  1862,  when  eighteen  years  old,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
H,  105th  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers.  The  regiment  was  mus- 
tered into  the  United  States  service  September  2,  at  Dixon, 
Illinois,  and  remained  at  Camp  Douglass  nearly  one  month! 
Ordered  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  September  30,  the  regiment 
rode  in  cattle  cars  and  on  flat  cars;  on  October  8  it  was  ordered 
to  Frankfort,  skirmishing  with  the  enemy  all  the  way  for  six 
days;  from  Frankfort  it  made  a  raid  upon  Lawrenceburg  and 
captured  a  few  hundred  prisoners. 

On  March  25,  1864,  Mr.  Henry  was  transferred  to  the 
1  7th  Cavalry  Volunteers  as  sergeant-major  and  was  soon  pro- 
moted to  first  lieutenant  and  quartermaster  of  the  regiment. 
The  regiment  was  placed  under  the  command  of  Major-Gen- 
eral  Rosecrans  in  Missouri,  where  it  engaged  in  the  six  days' 
battle  with  General  Price,  completely  routing  his  army  and 
capturing  General  Marmaduke  and  thousands  of  prisoners. 
During  this  battle  Lieutenant  Henry  was  assigned  as  aide  to 
Brigadier-General  Wood  for  two  days.  After  Lee's  surrender 
the  regiment  was  retained  in  service  to  help  quell  the  maraud- 
ing guerrilla  bands  that  infested  all  parts  of  the  state.  When 
this  was  accomplished  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  in  de- 
tachments. 

Lieutenant  Henry  returned  home  the  latter  part  of  June, 
1865,  having  served  his  country  for  nearly  three  years  as  an 
efficient  soldier,  and  was  mustered  out  of  service  one  month 
before  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age. 

On  December  26,  1865,  Lieutenant  Henry  married  Carrie 
R.  Poplin. 

Children: 

i.  Frank  V.  A.  (5),  born  Jan.  17,  1869. 
ii.  Jessie  May,  born  May  26,  1872. 

151 


Somonauk  Church 

In  1870  he  was  appointed  to  the  position  of  clerk  in  the 
United  States  railway  service,  from  Galesburg  to  Quincy.  In 
1871  he  was  detailed  for  service  on  the  Buffalo  and  Toledo 
route,  and  the  year  following  was  transferred  to  the  Chicago 
and  Burlington  route  as  head  clerk.  On  the  organization  of  the 
New  York  and  Chicago  fast  mail  service  (twenty-six  hours  en 
route — a  fast  service  at  that  time)  he  was  appointed  head 
clerk  and  served  on  the  first  train.  A  year  later  he  was  trans- 
ferred as  chief  clerk  at  Quincy,  Illinois,  having  charge  of  all 
mail  railroad  lines  south  of  Galesburg,  Peoria,  Bloomington 
and  Danville. 

On  February  6,  1885,  Mr.  Henry  married  second,  Jessie  E. 

Dawson  Williams. 

Child: 

i.   Lulu  Belle  (5)  now  Mrs.  Sherwood,  of  Iola,  Kan. 

In  1905  he  entered  the  state  service  at  the  Southern  Illinois 
prison  at  Chester,  and  resigned  February  1,  1920.  During  this 
time  he  was  also  superintendent  of  the  warden  house.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1921,  he  entered  the  Illinois  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Home 
at  Quincy,  Illinois,  and  for  a  time  assisted  and  acted  as  post- 
master. 

In  April,  1923,  he  was  appointed  sergeant-major  of  the 
home  and  in  May,  1924,  was  promoted  to  adjutant.  July  1, 
1925,  he  resigned  on  account  of  his  wife's  failing  health, 
though  still  retaining  his  membership  in  the  home.  For  three 
years  he  and  his  wife  lived  at  Iola,  Kansas,  where  she  died  in 
April,  1927.  Mr.  Henry  has  returned  to  the  home,  where,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-three,  he  enjoys  the  happy  memories  of  a 
well-spent  and  highly  useful  life  while  "waiting,"  as  he  says, 
"for  the  bugle  call  to  the  Eternal  Home." 

CHESTER  (3)  HENRY,  born  in  Washington  County,  New 
York,  in  1829;  died  at  Goldfield,  Iowa,  September  15,  1915; 
married  October  12,  1860,  Ellen  Ann  French;  born  1840,  in 

152 


The  Henry  Family 

Washington  County,  New  York;    died  November   12,    1905, 
at  Goldfield,  Iowa.  Both  are  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery,' 
Somonauk,  Illinois. 
Children: 

i.   Gilbert  (4),  born  1861;  married  in  1888,  Nora  Mc- 
Eachron. 
Children: 

i.   Ellen  Jannette  (5),  who  graduated  from  Mon- 
mouth College  in  1913;  married  Rev.  Ralph 
McLaughlin.  They  are  missionaries,  teaching 
in  Cairo,  Egypt. 
ii.   Duncan,    married   Emma    Handy,    teaching  ,  at 

Sayo,  Abbyssinia. 
iii.   Merran    is    secretary    to    a    large    institutional 

church  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
iv.   Frank  Ross,  living  at  Goldfield,  Iowa, 
v.   Gilbert,  living  at  Ackley,  Iowa. 
ii.   Anna  Bell,  born  1863;  living  in  Goldfield,  Iowa, 
in.   Sarah  Elizabeth,  born   1864;   married  W.  J    French 
(See  page  123.) 

iv.  John   Blair,   born    1867;    married  first,   Chrissie   Mc- 
Bride. 
Child: 

i.   A  daughter,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty  years. 
Married  second,  Maude  Stokes. 
Child: 

i.   Gretchen  (5). 
v.   Mary  Ellen,   born    1875;    married  Albert  McCleery. 

(See  page   178.) 

vi.   Frank    R,    born    1877;    at    the    age    of    twenty    was 

drowned  in  the  Fox  River. 

Chester   (3)   Henry  came  to  Illinois  in  the  early  '50s.  He 

worked  on  a  farm  in  Iowa  and  taught  school  for  some  time; 

came  back  to  Illinois  and  continued  teaching  until  he  mar^ 

153 


Somonauk  Church 

ried  in  1860.  He  and  his  wife  began  housekeeping  on  the  farm 
south  of  the  church,  where  they  lived  a  long  time.  In  1899 
they  removed  to  Goldfield,  Iowa,  where  they  spent  the  rest  of 
their  lives.  They  were  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church. 

The  Howison  Family 

GEORGE  (1)  HOWISON  was  born  in  Roxburyshire,  Scot- 
land, about  1785;  died  September  8,  1846,  in  Squaw  Grove 
township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois;  married  early  in  the 
nineteenth  century,  in  Scotland,  Margaret  Brown;  born  about 
1789;  died  in  Squaw  Grove  township,  April  29,  1874,  Mrs. 
Howison's  maiden  name  appears  on  the  memorial  tablet  as 
Margaret  Black,  but  further  research  seems  to  prove  the  name 
to  be  Brown.    Her  portrait  faces  page  134. 

The  father  and  eldest  son,  James,  came  to  America  in  1831, 
three  months  being  required  for  the  journey.  The  following 
year  the  rest  of  the  family  was  sent  for  and  settled  in  Green- 
wich, Washington  County,  New  York.  In  1843  James  and 
William  came  west  by  way  of  the  Erie  Canal  and  the  Great 
Lakes  to  Chicago,  where  they  remained  a  short  time  before 
taking  up  four  hundred  acres  of  government  land  in  Squaw 
Grove  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois.  They  also  pur- 
chased ten  acres  of  beautiful  timber  land  at  Shabbona  Grove. 
The  first  winter  was  spent  in  getting  out  rails,  stakes,  posts  and 
wood  for  use  on  the  new  farm.  In  the  spring  of  1844  the  other 
members  of   the   family,   except  Alexander,   came   to  Squaw 

Grove. 

George  Howison  was  a  weaver  by  trade  and  a  member  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church.  He  was  first  buried  on  the  Wil- 
liam French  farm,  his  body  being  later  removed  to  Oak  Mound 
Cemetery.  Margaret  (Brown)  Howison  had  one  daughter  by 
a  previous  marriage.  The  daughter  married  a  Mr.  Carr  and 
they  had  one  son,  John.  Mrs.  Howison  was  a  charter  member 
of  the  Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

154 


The  Howison  Family 

Children: 

i.  James  (2),  born  Jan.  20,  1818. 
ii.   Isobel,  born  Jan.  20,  1818;  died  in  infancy, 
iii.   William,  born  Dec.  18,  1821. 

iv.  Eliza,  born  Aug.  — ,  1825;  married  Sept.  18,   1858, 
Alexander  White;  died  Jan.  10,  1899.  (See  page 
239.) 
v.  Alexander,  born  Nov.  20,  1826. 
vi.   Robert,  born  Jan.  12,  1830.  (See  page  157.) 

JAMES  (2)  HOWISON,  born  January  20,  1818,  in  Smail- 
holm,  Scotland;  died  April  21,  1901,  at  Sandwich,  Illinois; 
married  November  12,  1867,  Mary  Jane,  a  daughter  of  Julia 
Ann  and  Richard  Kirkpatrick;  born  at  Duncannon,  Pennsyl- 
vania, March  21,  1840;  died  February  18,  1922. 
Child: 

i.  Charles  (3),  married  Bessie  Warner,  Oct.  26,  1898. 
Children: 

i.  Charlotte  H.  (4).  ii.  Charles. 
On  March  12,  1850,  in  company  with  William  Patten, 
James  Blair,  James  Walker  and  Mr.  Hoag,  James  Howison 
started  overland  for  California.  The  party  used  three  span  of 
horses  and  two  covered  wagons  in  making  the  trip.  Mr.  Walker 
died  on  the  way  at  Lone  Tree.  The  other  four  went  first  to 
Weaverton,  where  the  first  diggings  were  located,  then  later 
to  Sacramento,  where  they  laid  in  a  supply  of  provisions;  then 
they  went  to  the  diggings  on  the  Yuba  River  where  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  hired  out  to  a  company  for  eight  dollars  a 
day.  Here  he  was  joined  by  his  brother  Alexander.  During  two 
summers  he  worked  on  a  ranch  for  $160  a  month  and  board. 
In  1856  the  two  brothers  returned  to  the  home  in  Illinois. 
While  engaged  in  farming,  Mr.  Howison  suffered  a  severe 
sunstroke,  and  on  account  of  poor  health  moved  to  Sandwich 
in  1879,  where  he  died  April  21,  1901. 

155 


Somonauk  Church 

WILLIAM  (2)  HOWISON,  born  in  Smailholm,  Roxbury- 
shire,  Scotland,  December  18,  1821;  died  October  4,  1905; 
married  October,  1855,  Catharine  Walls;  born  December  25, 
1824,  in  Salem,  New  York;  died  May  31,  1887. 

In  1847  William  secured  one  hundred  sixty  acres  from 
the  government  in  Clinton  township,  near  Waterman.  For 
many  years  he  and  his  wife  were  faithful  members  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  at  Somonauk.  The  parents  and 
five  of  the  children  are  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

Children: 

i.   James  A.   (3),  born  May  28,   1856;   died  Mar.   14, 

1882. 
ii.   William  J.,  born  May  28,  1858;   died  Apr.  5,  1913. 
iii.   Robert   W.,   born   Aug.    29,    1860;    died   March    10, 
1924;  married  Apr.  29,  1922,  Josephine  Vermil- 
lion Henley.  He  was  an  extensive  stockbreeder  and 
a  prosperous  farmer, 
iv.   George  W.,  born  June  16,  1862;  died  Nov.  28,  1904, 

at  Bartonville,  111. 
v.   Albert,  born  July  25,  1865;   married  July  26,   1922, 
%  in  California,  Mira  Bradbury,  and  is  now  living 

in  Waterman,  111. 
vi.   Mary  M,  born  Jan.  7,  1868;  died  Feb.  21,  1896. 

ALEXANDER  (2)  HOWISON,  born  at  Smailholm,  Rox- 
buryshire,  near  Edinburgh,  Kelso  County,  Scotland,  November 
20,  1826;  died  August  24,  1907,  at  his  home  in  DeKalbCoun- 
ty,  Illinois.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  Greenwich,  New  York, 
in  1832,  when  he  was  six  years  of  age.  He  did  not  remove  to 
Illinois  until  1846,  when  he  joined  his  parents  in  Squaw 
Grove  township.  He  worked  with  his  brother  William  the  first 
year  and  then  purchased  of  William  one  hundred  sixty  acres 
which  he  began  improving.  In  1852  he  went  to  California  by 
way  of  Cape  Horn,  and  by  a  happy  accident  located  his  brother 

156 


The  Howison  Family 

James,  who  had  crossed  the  plains  two  years  before.  They  were 
there  for  three  and  a  half  years,  one  year  being  spent  in  the 
mines  and  two  years  in  gardening.  The  brothers  returned  by 
water,  taking  the  Aspinwall  line  by  way  of  the  Isthmus  of 
Panama.  Surviving  shipwreck  and  yellow  fever,  which  broke 
out  among  the  passengers,  they  reached  home  in  safety. 

Alexander  (2)  Howison,  married  November  18,  1862, 
Margaret  McCleery;  born  near  Dalton,  Ohio,  February  22^ 
1843,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Jean  (Thompson)  McCleery. 
They  went  to  live  on  the  Howison  homestead,  where  he  again 
took  up  farming,  and  the  rest  of  their  lives  was  spent  there. 
Mrs.  Howison  died  August  23,  1916.  Both  were  members  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  The  deceased  members  of  the 
family  are  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 
Children: 

i.   George  Andrew  (3),  living  on  the  homestead, 
ii.   Margaret  Jean,  living  with  her  brother  George  A. 
iii.   Elizabeth  Ann,  died  June  3,   1888. 
iv.   Archie    H.,    married    Martha    A.    Randies,    Feb.    8, 

1899;   died  June  24,   1901. 
v.   Mary  Jeannette,  living  with  George  and  Jean, 
vi.   Ralph    James,    married    June     13,     1906,    Margaret 
Beveridge,    daughter   of    William    G.    Beveridge. 
Children:  if.   Robert  W. 

i.   Donald  (4),  deceased.         iii.   Evelyn  Mae. 
vii.   Isabella  Catherine,  died  July  30,  1886. 

ROBERT  (2)  HOWISON,  born  January  12,  1830,  in 
Smailholm,  Roxburyshire,  Scotland;  died  August  27,  1912; 
November  27,  1862,  Robert  married  Hannah  Ellen  Kirk- 
patrick,  born  March  13,  1835,  near  Duncannon,  Pennsyl- 
vania. She  came  with  her  parents,  Richard  and  Julia  (Kirk- 
patrick)  Kirkpatrick,  to  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  in  1857, 
and  settled  in  Clinton  township. 

157 


Somonauk  Church 

A  short  time  after  his  marriage  Robert  (2)  and  his  wife 
moved  to  their  farm  in  Clinton  township,  where  they  lived 
for  forty  years.  They  were  consistent  members  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church.  From  the  farm  they  moved  into  the  vil- 
lage of  Waterman,  where  Mr.  Howison  died  August  27, 
1912.  He  was  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery.  At  this  time, 
November,  1927,  Mrs.  Howison  is  in  her  ninety-third  year 
and  in  good  health. 

Children: 

i.   George  Bert  (3). 
ii.   Margaret,  married  John  Moore. 
Children: 

i.  Albert  (4)  Moore, 
ii.   Ella  Moore. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore  removed  to  Idaho,  where 
they  lived  and  prospered  on  a  farm  for  several 
years,  until  Mr.  Moore  lost  his  life  in  an  accident 
resulting  from  a  runaway  team  of  horses.  Mrs. 
Moore  returned  to  Waterman  to  educate  her  chil- 
dren. She  married  second,  Lavill  Rowley, 
iii.  Mabel, 
iv.  Fred. 

The  Irwin  Family 

WILLIAM  (1)  IRWIN,  son  of  James  Irwin  and  Jane 
Winslow,  was  born  in  County  Caven,  Ireland,  February  18, 
1800;  died  in  Somonauk,  Illinois,  in  the  home  of  his  daughter, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Beveridge,  July  22,  1866. 

In  Ireland  he  was  proud  to  be  an  Orangeman,  but  when 
twenty-one  years  of  age  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Argyle, 
Washington  County,  New  York.  Here  he  married  May  11, 
1826,  Margaret  Harper,  who  was  born  in  the  North  of  Ire- 
land, September  15,  1807,  and  died  in  Somonauk,  Illinois, 
February  28,  1890. 

158 


The  Irwin  Family 

In  1848  they  removed  from  Washington  County,  New- 
York,  to  Ross  Grove,  Illinois,  twelve  miles  west  of  the  Somon- 
auk  United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  with  their  children,  all 
born  in  New  York  State,  were  faithful  members  of  that 
church. 

In   1859,  after  the  death  of  their  son-in-law,  Thomas  G. 
Beveridge,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Irwin  came  from  Ross  Grove,  Illi- 
nois, to  make  their  home  with  their  daughter,  Mrs.  Beveridge. 
Children: 

i.   Elizabeth    (2),   born  Dec.    18,    1827;    died   May    19, 
1892;    married  Apr.   9,    1851,  Thomas  G.   Bev- 
eridge. (See  page  92.) 
ii.   Margaret  Jane,  born  Jan.  16, 1830;  died  Mar. 6, 1833. 
iii.  William  M.,  born  July  21,  1832;  died  Oct.  4,  1834. 
iv.   Mary,  born  Dec.  13,  1834;  died  Apr.  8,  1862;  mar- 
ried Oct.  31,  1860,  Robert  Brown. 

v.  Jane,  born  Apr.  30,   1837;   died  ;   married 

Dec.   31,    1857,   Daniel  Miller, 
vi.   Eleanor,   born   Sept.    15,    1839;    died   Jan.    4,    1885; 

married  Dec.  31,  1862,  Hiram  J.  Coon, 
vii.   Thomas,  born  Dec.    14,   1841. 

viii.   Martha  Ann,  born  Dec.  27,  1845;  died  Sept.  12,  1846. 
ix.   Sarah  Ann,  born  May  1,   1848;   living;   married  Feb. 
8,   1886,  Hiram  J.  Coon. 

THOMAS    (2)    IRWIN    was    born    December    14,    1841; 
married  November  7,  1863,  Mary  Elizabeth   (8)  French. 
Children : 

i.   Anna  Lizzie  (3),  born  May  12,  1865;  died  Sept.  20, 
1916;  married  May  24,  1883,  James  S.  Harvison. 
Children: 

i.   Glenn    Irwin    (4)    Harvison,    born    Oct.     13, 
1887;    married  August,    1920,   Nynah   Byers. 
ii.    Maribel  Harvison. 

159 


Somonauk  Church 

ii.   Isabel  French,  born  Jan.  22,  1867;  unmarried, 
iii.   William,    born   Apr.    7,    1869;    married    November, 
1888,  Luella  Ross. 
Children: 

i.   Mary  Irene  (4),  born  Oct.  22,  1889;  married 

Dr.  William  Kirk, 
ii.   Eva  Valera,  born  Mar.  30,  1891;  married  Guy 

Black, 
iii.   Agnes. 


JOHN    IRWIN    married    Jane    Kirk    in    Argyle    township, 
Washington  County,  New  York. 

Child: 

i.   Sarah,  born  ;   married  William    (2)    Harper, 

Apr.  25,  1848.  (Seepage  146.) 

The  Kennedy  Family 

DAVID  STEWART  KENNEDY  was  born  April  25, 
1834,  near  Youngstown,  Mahoning  County,  Ohio,  son  of 
James  and  Sarah  Reid  Kennedy,  who  were  of  Scotch-Irish 
ancestry;  died  May  17,  1898;  married  May  3,  1859,  Nancy 
Wills  Kelly;  born  near  the  town  of  Indiana,  Indiana  County, 
Pa.,  in   1837;   died  January  29,   1921,  at  Oak  Park,  Illinois. 

Children: 

i.   Sadie.  vi.  Reid. 

ii.   Harry,  deceased.  vii.  Archie, 

iii.   Mary,  deceased.  viii.  James,  deceased, 

iv.   Matilda.  ix.  Anna, 

v.   Belle,  deceased.  x.  Tom. 

Mr.  Kennedy  entered  Westminster  College  at  the  age  of 
twenty-two  and  graduated  in  the  class  of  1858.  Soon  after 
this  he   entered  the   Allegheny  Theological    Seminary,    from 

160 


The  Kirkpatrick  Family 

which  he  was  graduated  in  1862.  His  first  pastorate  was  at 
Center,  Washington  County,  Pennsylvania,  in  Chartiers  Pres- 
bytery. Here  he  remained  for  ten  years.  He  was  next  called 
by  the  congregation  of  Sewickley,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Allegheny.  After  serving  this  congregation  for  six 
years  he  received  a  call  from  the  Somonauk  United  Presby- 
terian Church,  where  he  was  installed  as  pastor,  September  5, 
1878,  succeeding  the  Reverend  William  Turner  MorTett,  who 
was  the  second  pastor  of  Somonauk  church.  Mr.  Kennedy 
served  this  congregation  with  great  devotion  for  a  little  more 
than  fifteen  years,  when,  on  account  of  failing  health,  he 
resigned,  giving  up  his  charge  November  21,    1893. 

Mrs.  Kennedy  also  graduated  from  Westminster  College 
in  the  same  class  as  her  husband.  Both  are  buried  in  Oak  Mound 
Cemetery. 

The  Kirkpatrick  Family 

"Kirkpatrick,  anciently  sometimes  spelled  Kilpatrick,  a 
surname  derived  from  Cella  Patricii,  the  'church  of  Patrick.' 

"The  ancient  family  of  Kirkpatrick  of  Closeburn,  who 
possess  a  baronetcy,  have,  according  to  tradition,  held  lands  in 
Nithsdale  since  the  ninth  century. 

"Roger  Kirkpatrick  was  one  of  the  attendants  of  King  Rob- 
ert Bruce  at  Dumfries  when  he  met  Comyn  in  the  church  of  the 
Franciscans  in  that  town,  and  it  was  he  who,  on  Bruce's  rush- 
ing out  and  expressing  a  doubt  that  he  had  killed  the  Red 
Comyn,  dispatched  the  latter  with  the  exclamation,  'You 
doubt!  Ise  mak  siccar'  (or  sure),  which  became  the  motto  of 
his  family,  their  crest  being  a  hand  holding  a  dagger,  in  pale, 
distilling  drops  of  blood."— Anderson's  "Scottish  Nation." 

About  1730  Isaac  (1)  Kirkpatrick  with  his  brother  Richard 
and  sister  Mary,  of  Scottish  ancestry,  came  from  near  Belfast, 
Ireland,  and  settled  in  the  part  of  Lancaster  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, now  in  Cumberland  County. 

161 


Somonauk  Church 

His  son  Richard  (2)  had  three  sons,  Joseph  (3),  Moses  (3) 
and  Isaac  (3),  of  Rye  township,  Cumberland  County,  who 
were  all  soldiers  of  the  Revolution  from  that  county. 

In  1855  Jesse  (4)  Kirkpatrick,  with  his  brother  Richard 
[(4),  Isaac  (3),  Richard  (2),  Isaac  (1)]  and  their  families, 
came  from  near  Duncannon,  Perry  County,  Pennsylvania, 
and  settled  in  Clinton  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois. 

JESSE  (4)  KIRKPATRICK,  born  in  Cumberland  (now 
Perry)  County,  Pennsylvania,  June  19,  1791;  died  in  Clinton 
township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  December  19,  1857; 
married  in  Perry  County,  Pennsylvania,  January  25,  1819, 
Ruth  Smiley;  born  in  Shermandale,  Perry  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, May  1,  1791;  died  in  Waterman,  Illinois,  October  8, 
1879.  Their  children  were  born  in  Pennsylvania. 

Children: 

i.  Ann  (5),  born  Apr.  22,  1820;  died  Oct.  16,  1869; 

married  William  H.  Henderson. 
ii.  Isaac,  born  Oct.  20,  1822;  died  Jan.  11,  1895;  mar- 
ried Catharine  McCord. 
iii.   Smiley,  born  Mar.  1,  1825;  married  Matilda  Hippie, 
iv.   Hiram,  born   July  23,    1827;    died   Apr.    13,    1924; 

married  Mary  Thomas, 
v.  Margarette,  born  Nov.  23,   1829;    married  William 

McCoy. 
vi.  Eleanor,  born  June   12,   1832;    died  Nov.  3,   1917; 
married  Robert  G.  Ferguson. 

RICHARD  (4)  KIRKPATRICK,  born  in  Cumberland 
(now  Perry)  County,  Pennsylvania,  April  4,  1797;  died  in 
Clinton  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  September  3, 
1871 ;  married  about  1832  his  relative  Julia  Ann  Kirkpatrick; 
born  March  17,  1810;  died  April  28,  1898.  Their  children 
were  born  in  Pennsylvania. 

162 


The  Kirkpatrick  Family 
Children: 

i.   Isabella    (5),    born    Mar.    27,    1833;    died   July    14, 

1915;  married  John  Harter. 
ii.   Hannah  Eleanor,  born  Mar.   13,   1835;   now  living 

married  Robert  (2)  Howison.   (See  page  155  ) 
iii.  Matilda,  born  Feb.  29,  1836;  died  Aug.  16,  1864 

married  Amos  McCaskey. 
iv.  Albina,  born  Nov.    19,   1839;    died  May  27,   1913 
married  William  James  Walker.  (See  page  236. 
v.   Mary  Jane,  born  Mar.  21,  1840;  died  Feb.  18,  1923 
married   first,   James    Howison;    married   second 
William  James  Walker.  (See  pages  155,  236.) 
vi.  Julia  Ann,  born  Apr.  20,  1843;  died  Oct.  23,  1918, 
married    Jan.    24,    1867,    Robert    Walker.    (See 
page  236.) 
Rebecca,  born  Dec.  28,   1844;   now  living;   married, 
Nov.  28,  1867,  John  Walker,  Jr.  (See  page  236.) 
Jesse  Patterson,  born  in  1846;   died  aged  11   months, 
ix.   Isaac  Finley,  born  Apr.  16,  1850;  now  living. 

HEZEKIAH   (5)  KIRKPATRICK   [Moses  (4), 


vn. 


Vll] 


(3),  R.chard   (2),  Isaac   (1)],  born  January   18,   1813,  in 
Cumberland  County,  Pennsylvania;  died  in  Clinton  township, 
De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  June  22,  1883;  married  April  7, 
840,  Nancy  E.  Elliott;  born  in  the  north  of  Ireland  about 
1810;   died  ,n  Clinton  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois, 
August  10,   1867.  Hezekiah   (5)  and  his  brother  Isaac  (5) 
with  their  families  removed  from  the  part  of  Cumberland 
County,     Pennsylvania,     now    Perry     County,     and     settled 
in    De    Kalb    County,    Illinois,    in    the    spring    of     1852 
coming  by  railroad  to  Turner  Junction,  now  West  Chicago,' 
and  from  there  in  wagons  to  their  destination.  Hezekiah  bought 
one  hundred  sixty  acres  of  prairie  land  in  Clinton  township, 
adjoining  Squaw  Grove,  and  built  a  house,  and  later  two  other 


163 


Somonauk  Church 

houses.  James  P.   Kirkpatrick,  a  grandson,  now  lives  in  the 
last  home. 

Soon  after  their  arrival  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kirkpatrick  united 
with  the  church,  and  later  the  children  all  followed  their 
example. 

Children: 

i.   Nancy  Jane  (6),  born  Jan.  22,  1841;   died  Jan.  21, 
1863;    married    James    Finney    and    removed    to 
southern  Indiana,  where  she  died  a  year  or  two 
later. 
Child: 

i.  Jennie  Margaretta   (7)   Finney,   married  Isaac 
Trible;  they  are  now  living  in  California, 
ii.   Moses   Calvin,    born   June    8,    1843;    died   Apr.    20, 
1863.  In  the  summer  of  1862  he  enlisted  in  the 
105th  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteers.  While  in 
the  South  his  health  failed  and  the  following  spring 
he  was  discharged  and  brought  home,  dying  soon 
after.  He  was  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery, 
iii.  John   Simpson,   born   Aug.    18,    1845;    died   Nov.   9, 
1912;    married  first,  Dec.  9,   1875,  Margaret  J. 
McCord;   second,  Ida  Kirkpatrick. 
Children  by  first  marriage: 

i.  MertieE.  (7).  iv.   Mabel, 

ii.  James  H.  v.  Nancy, 

iii.  Jessie  S. 
iv.   Eliza,  born  May   15,   1848;   died  Apr.   13,   1926,  at 
her  home  in  Topeka,  Kan.;  married  Jan.  22,  1879, 
John  W.  Owen;  born  1854;  died  1927. 
Children: 

i.   Arthur  K.  (7)  Owen,  a  Roentgenologist,  mar- 
ried Eugia  Timms. 
Child: 
i.  Kirk. 

164 


V. 


The  Kirkpatrick  Family 

if.   Charles  Archibald  Owen,   married   Margarette 
Corrett;  they  have  a  daughter  and  four  sons, 
and  are  living  in  Egypt,  where  Mr.   Owen 
is  a  missionary  teacher, 
iii.   Mary   Owen  married   A.   R.   Morrow,   a  phy- 
sician, living  in  Chicago,  111.  They  have  two 
daughters. 
Margaretta,  born  Feb.  20,  1852;  died  Aug.  18,  1899- 
married  Nov.  9,   1871,  William  Mitchell. 
Children: 

i.   Edith  E.  (7)  Mitchell,  married  Peter  Hutter. 
Children: 

i.   Harry  Kennedy  (8)  Hutter,  teaching  geol- 
ogy and  chemistry  in  Muskingum  Col- 
lege, Ohio. 
ii.   William  Glenn  Hutter,  living  in  Aurora 

111. 
iii.  Jesse  Calvin  Hutter,  married  Eva  Winter, 
iv.   Margaretta    K.     Hutter,    married    Joseph 
Chestnut   and   is   living   on   a    farm    in 
Kansas. 

v.   Arlene  Elizabeth  Hutter,  living  in  Aurora, 
111. 

vi.   Annie  Maude  Hutter,  a  student  in   Mus- 
kingum College,   Ohio, 
ii.  J.  Maude  Mitchell. 

iii.  John   P.    Mitchell,   married   Rose   Eagle;    they 
have  one  son;  two  other  children,  Donald  and 
Gladys,  died  in  1918. 
iv.   Annie  Mitchell,  married  Samuel  Gordon 
Children: 

i.   Eugene  (8)  Gordon. 

ii.   Kenneth  Gordon,   iv.  Annie  May  Gordon, 
iii.  John  Gordon.  v.   Keith  Gordon. 

165 


Somonauk  Church 

ISAAC  (5)  KIRKPATRICK,  brother  of  Hezekiah,  born 
February  14,  1818,  in  Rye  township,  Cumberland  County, 
Pennsylvania;  died  at  his  home  in  Sandwich,  Illinois,  January 
16,  1898;  married  in  1837,  Sarah  Elliott;  born  in  the  north 
of  Ireland,  September,  1813;  died  November  17,  1885. 

Children: 

i.  James  Elliott  (6),  born  in  1838;  married  Anna  Mary 
(3)  Gilchrist;  served  throughout  the  Civil  War; 
they  have   one   child,   Corena,   who   married   Dr. 
Charles  Husk, 
ii.   Robert,    born    in    1840;    married    Caroline    Goodell. 
They  removed  to  Kansas  soon  after  their  marriage, 
where  he  died  a  few  years  ago.  He  was  a  veteran 
of  the  Civil  War.  His  wife  lives  in  Hortonville, 
Kan.  They  had  four  children,  Lulu,  Sarah,  Roy 
W.  and  Roberta, 
iii.  Anna  Eliza,  born  in   1843;   married  Robert  Steven- 
son. They  had  four  children:  Arthur  (7),  Kirk, 
Mary  and  Robert  Stevenson, 
iv.  Easton,  born  in  1846;  married  Agnes  R.  (4)  Henry. 
He    lived    on    the    Kirkpatrick    homestead,    and 
farmed  it  until  he  turned  over  the  management  to 
his  son  Floyd.  He  then  moved  to  Sandwich,  111., 
where  he  died  in  1925. 

Children: 

i.  Jennie  (7),  born  Mar.  4,  1878;  married  R.  J. 

McAllister, 
ii.  Floyd,  born  Sept.  30,  1881;  married  March  18, 
1913  Pearl,  a  daughter  of  David  and  Mary 
(StaurTer)  Bernard. 
Children: 

i.   David  Easton. 
ii.  Thomas  Bernard. 

166 


The  Kirkpatrick  Family 

v.  Emma  Jane,  born  in  1848;  died  unmarried  Apr.  30 
1924.  v         ' 

vi.  Agnes  May,  born  in  1850;  married  >mes  Finley. 
Children: 

i.  Thomas  Finley.  vi.  Ella  Finley. 

"•  Isaac  Finley.  vii.   Paul  Finley. 

Hi.  James  Finley.  y^   Mary  Finley. 

iv.  Emma  Finley.  ix.  £dwin  Finley< 

v.  Sarah  Finley. 

vii.  Clara  M.,   born   in    1853;    married   George   B.    (8) 

French.  (Seepage  122.) 
viii.  Sarah  Ellen,  born  in  1855;  married  William  Steven- 
son and  left  Somonauk. 
ix.  Flora  M.,  born  in  1858;  married  John  Fullerton. 
Children: 

i.  Sara  (7)  Fullerton. 
ii.   Keith  Fullerton. 

Isaac  (5)  came  to  Somonauk,  De  Kalb  County,  in  the  spring 
of  1852,  from  Perry  County,  Pennsylvania.  He  settled  on 
a  farm  with  a  small  house  on  it  at  Squaw  Grove  and  at  once 
united  with  the  Associate  Church. 

A  few  years  later  the  small  house— or  cabin— was  burned 
to  the  ground,  and  a  better  and  larger  house  was  built,  in  which 
the  family  grew  up,  all  the  members  of  the  family  allying 
themselves  with  the  church  and  its  mission. 

Early  in  the  Civil  War  Isaac  Kirkpatrick,  though  in  middle 
age,  enlisted  in  the  8th  Illinois  Cavalry,  saw  several  months 
of  service,  and  was  discharged  because  of  physical  disability. 
It  is  said  he  was  a  brave  soldier. 

Isaac  Kirkpatrick  outlived  his  wife,  Sarah  Elliott,  by  twelve 
years;  they  are  both  buried  in  the  family  lot  in  Oak  Mound 
Cemetery. 

167 


Somonauk  Church 

The  McAllister  Family 

"The  Scottish  Nation,"  by  William  Anderson,  reads:  "Mac- 
Allister,  the  name  of  a  clan  that  inhabits  the  south  of  Knap- 
dale  and  the  north  of  Kintyre  in  Argyleshire,  Scotland.  They 
are  traced  to  Alexander,  son  of  Angus  Mor  of  the  clan  of 
Donald. 

"From  their  descent  from  Alexander,  eldest  son  of  Angus 
Mor,  Lord  of  the  Isles  and  Kintyre  in  1284,  the  grandson  of 
Somerled,  thane  of  Argyle,  the  MacAllisters  claim  to  be  the 
representatives  after  McDonell  of  Glengary,  of  the  Ancient 
Lords  of  the  Isles  as  heirs  male  of  Donald,  grandson  of 
Somerled.  After  the  forfeiture  of  the  Lords  of  the  Isles  in 
1493,  the  MacAllisters  became  so  numerous  as  to  form  a 
separate  and  independent  clan.  At  that  period  their  chieftain 
was  John  or  Ean-Dubh,  whose  residence  was  at  Ard  Phadrine 
or  Ardpatrick  in  South  Knapdale." 

Like  many  other  families,  the  MacAllisters  were  presecuted 
for  their  religious  opinions  in  those  troublous  times  in  Scotland. 
For  this  reason  some  of  them  took  refuge  in  North  Ireland. 
Some  of  the  descendants  of  recent  years  are  proud  to  own  that 
the  McAllisters  in  America  are  also  traceable  to  the  noted 
Stuarts  of  Scotland. 

JAMES  (1)  MCALLISTER,  son  of  Dexter  McAllister, 
was  born  in  Scotland  in  1798;  died  in  Clinton  township,  De 
Kalb  County,  Illinois,  July  19,  1867.  His  wife,  Jane  Dobbin, 
was  born  in  Connagher,  County  Antrim,  Ireland,  in  April, 
1804;  died  in  Sandwich,  Illinois,  December  15,  1881.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  William  and  Margaret  (Andrew)  Dobbin 
and  granddaughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Miller)  Dobbin  and 
Samuel  and  Jane   (Dobbin)   Andrew. 

James  McAllister  and  Jane  Dobbin  were  married  in  Con- 
nagher,  Parish   of   Ballimoney,   County  Antrim,   Ireland,   in 

168 


The  McAllister  Family 

1823.  When  their  eldest  child,  Margaret,  was  three  months 
old,  in  the  spring  of  1824,  they  removed  from  their  home  in 
Ireland  to  Washington  County,  New  York.  During  the  voyage 
the  baby  became  so  ill  with  whooping-cough  that  the  captain 
of  the  ship  told  the  mother  she  might  as  well  throw  it  over- 
board, as  it  would  not  live  to  cross  the  ocean.  The  blunt  cap- 
tain's prediction  failed,  however,  for  Margaret  lived  and 
brought  up  a  family,  and  reached  the  good  old  age  of  ninety- 
three  years. 

James  and  his  family  lived  in  Washington  County  until 
about  1835,  when  they  removed  to  South  Washington,  Marion 
County,  Ohio.  In  1848  they  removed  to  De  Kalb  County, 
Illinois,  and  settled  on  a  quarter-section  of  land  in  Clinton 
township,  south  east  quarter  of  section  36.  It  was  raw  prairie 
land.  Soon  after  arriving,  the  parents  and  a  daughter,  Mary, 
united  by  certificate  with  the  Associate  Church.  Their  occupa- 
tion was  farming.  Mr.  McAllister  died  in  1867  of  tetanus, 
caused  by  an  injury  to  his  hand. 

Children: 

i.   Margaret  (2),  born  Jan.  6,  1824;  died  Oct.  16,  1916; 

married  John  Van  Natta. 
ii.   Mary,  born  Feb.  7,   1826;  died  Dec.   1,   1911,  at  her 

home  in  Paw  Paw,  111.;   married  first,  Mar.  20, 

1850,  John  Christie;  married  second,  Moses  Bart- 

lett. 

in.  Eliza,   born   Nov.    12,    1827;    died   Oct.    17,    1917; 

married  George  Smith  and  lived  at  Aledo,  111. 
iv.   Martha,   born   Mar.    6,    1830;    died  Feb.   — ,    1913; 

married    first,    August    Breese;     married    second, 

William  Smith. 
v.  William  J.,  born  Mar.  15,  1832. 
vi.  James  W.,  born  July  1,  1834. 

169 


Somonauk  Church 

vii.  Sarah,  born  Feb.  5,  1839;  died  July  28,  1918;  mar- 
ried James  (4)  Graham.  (See  page  138.) 
viii.  Ellen,   born    Aug.    3,    1842;    married   David   Elsey. 
She  is  still  living, 
ix.  Esther,  born  Sept.  2,   1844;    died  Apr.  6,    1926,  in 

Chicago,  111.;  married  William  McCoy, 
x.  Anna,  born  July  8,  1846;  married  first,  Henry  Still; 
they  had  one  son,  who  was  killed  in  an  accident. 
She  married  second,  Robert  Mitchell,  and  is  still 
living  in  Wichita,  Kan. 
xi.  Isabel,  born  Sept.  1,   1848;   died  unmarried,  June  2, 

1892. 
xii.   Samuel,   born   Dec.    17,    1850;    died  Apr.    17,    1868, 
aged  eighteen  years,  from  an  injury  received  while 
trying  to  stop  a  team  of  runaway  horses  for  a  com- 
panion who  was  working  in  the  same  field. 

WILLIAM  J.  (2)  McALLISTER  was  born  March  15, 
1832;  died  February  9,  1879;  married  Addie  Favor,  of  Piano, 
Illinois.  William  J.  was  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  War,  enlisting 
in  the  summer  of  1862;  was  in  Company  H,  105th  Illinois 
Volunteers;  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war,  in  June,  1865. 
A  year  or  two  later  he  entered  Monmouth  College,  and  grad- 
uated in  the  class  of  1870.  After  his  theological  course  he 
settled  as  pastor  of  a  church  in  Iowa.  His  ministerial  career 
was  short  but  not  without  its  good  effects. 

JAMES  W.  (2)  McALLISTER  was  born  July  1,  1834; 
died  March  10,  1921;  married  December  16,  1864,  Mary 
Ann  Graham.  When  about  fourteen  years  of  age  he  came  with 
his  parents  to  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois.  They  made  their  home 
on  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  36,  in  Clinton  township. 
From  that  time  on  this  was  James'  only  home.  He  lived  there 
seventy-three  years. 

170 


The  McAllister  Family 
Children: 

i.  Ward    (3),   born   Dec.   4,    1866;    married   Feb.    10, 

1897,  Mary  Gray.  Ward  has  been  a  ruling  elder 
of  the  church  for  thirty  years.  Children  r^James 
Russell,  Ella,  Cecil,  Ralph  Graham,  Mary  Edna, 
Reba,  Donald. 

ii.   Helen,   born  Nov.   9,    1868;    died  in  Sandwich,   111., 

Dec.   1,   1908;   married  Oct.  3,   1894,  Albert  C. 

Winter.     Children:  Ruth,   Eva   Marie,   Wallace, 

Paul  Kenneth,  James  Everette  Winter. 

iii.   Robert  James,  born  Nov.  4,  1871;  married  Oct.   12, 

1898,  Jeannette  Beveridge  Kirkpatrick,  born  Mar! 
11,  1878.  Children:  Lois  K.,  Leslie  Kirk  (died 
July  23,   1920),  Sara  Jeannette. 

iv.  Margaret,  born  Dec.  25,  1873;  died  Apr.  2,  1907; 
married  Rev.  Elzie  R.  Mitchell,  Jan.  3,  1901. 
Children:  Sara  Eloise,  Emma  Belle,  Tames  Rus- 
sell. 

v.  Russell,   born  June    11,    1876;    died  Jan.   29,    1896, 

while  a  student  in  Monmouth  College, 
vi.   Mary  Belle,   born   Dec.    15,    1878;    married   Oct.   4, 
1905,  John  Thompson,  a  farmer.   Children:  Mary 
Genevieve,  Margaret,  Robert,  Leroy,  Betty  Jean. 

vii.  Sarah  Jane,  born  Dec.  24,  1881;  died  June  6,  1902. 

viii.  William  John,  born  May  18,  1886;  married  Jan. 
12,  1912,  Maida  Gowdy.  He  is  a  graduate  of 
Monmouth  College  and  is  in  business  in  Mon- 
mouth, 111. 

All  of  James  W.  (2)  McAllister's  children  early  joined  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church. 


171 


Somonauk  Church 

The  McCleery  Family 

The  McCleery  family  is  descended  from  a  Scottish  laird 
of  Glasgow,  whose  name  was  probably  Cleerson  or  McCleer- 
son.  They  had  a  family  crest  showing  a  pelican  feeding  its 
young  from,  as  it  was  then  supposed,  its  own  heart's  blood, 
signifying  family  devotion.  The  crest  has  never  been  in  vogue 
with  the  American  descendants,  but  the  devotion  remains  un- 
abated. 

JOHN  (1)  McCLEARY,  born  November  7,  1771,  in  Glas- 
gow, Scotland,  the  only  son  of  the  family;  died  at  Dalton, 
Ohio,  December  14,  1849;  married  in  1797  Margaret,  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  Cook,  of  Cambridge,  Washington 
County,  New  York;  born  March  10,  1778;  died  September 
11,  1856. 

When  nearly  twenty-one  years  of  age,  John  McCleary  was 
overpowered  in  London  by  the  press-gang  and  forced  into  the 
British  navy.  He  determined  he  would  attempt  an  escape  from 
the  injustice  at  the  first  opportunity.  In  the  course  of  events 
the  man-of-war  on  which  he  was  serving  set  sail  for  Quebec. 
For  some  reason  a  younger  officer  struck  McCleary  with  his 
sword,  whereupon  he  knocked  the  officer  down.  To  strike  a 
superior  in  those  days  was  a  capital  offense.  He  was  court- 
martialed  and  sentenced  to  be  shot,  but  was  pardoned  by  the 
commander  of  the  ship. 

On  reaching  Quebec  our  hero  studied  the  situation  and 
decided  that  here  was  a  possible  opportunity  to  make  his  escape ; 
though  extremely  hazardous,  he  took  it.  By  some  means  he 
crossed  to  the  south  shore  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  probably  by 
rowboat,  or  possibly  by  swimming  the  three-mile  river.  He 
was  unarmed,  save  for  a  club  he  had  secured,  which  would 
give  him  some  protection  against  possible  pursuers  and  the 
dangerous  animals  which  roamed  the  dense  forests.   Being  a 

172 


The  McCleery  Family 

strong  man,  it  is  said,  he  doubtless  traveled  fifty  miles  at  his 
highest  speed  before  he  halted  for  food  or  rest. 

In  a  southerly  course  he  made  his  way  through  a  mountainous 
country  of  unbroken  forests  for  three  hundred  and  fifty  miles. 
By  chance  he  stopped  at  a  cabin  of  Thomas  Cook's,  a  pioneer  in 
the  settlement  of  Cambridge,  Washington  County,  New  York. 
This  was  about  the  year  1793,  or  possibly  a  year  or  two  later. 
McCleary  was  in  an  exhausted  condition  from  his  extreme 
physical  exertion  and  mental  strain.  He  was  taken  into  the 
Cook  home  and  kindly  cared  for.  Food  and  rest  were  all  that 
were  needed  to  give  him  back  his  strength,  which  after  some 
days  was  restored. 

He  remained  in  the  community  of  Cambridge  and  went  to 
work.  He  never  again  heard  from  his  father's  family.  Being 
a  deserter  in  a  technical  sense,  though  he  never  did  and  would 
not  enlist,  he  dared  not  communicate  with  his  parents,  for  the 
English  government  would  naturally  be  guarding  that  point 
to  get  a  trace  of  him.  To  make  his  obscurity  more  impenetrable, 
he  changed  his  name  to  McCleery,  which  spelling  has  been 
retained. 

Children: 

i.   Robert  (2),  born  in  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  June  27,   1801; 

died  Sept.  12,  1801. 
ii.  James,  born  June  5,  1803. 
iii.   Mary  Ann,  born  Aug.  2,  1805,  in  Greenwich, 
iv.  Jane,  born  Sept.   19,   1807,  in  Greenwich;   died  July 

26,  1826. 
v.  Thomas,  born  in  Greenwich,  N.  Y.,  June  18,  1809; 

died  Dec.  25,  1883,  at  Creston,  Iowa. 
vi.  Edward  Cook,  born  Mar.  18,   1811. 
vii.  John,  born  May  30,  1813. 

viii.  Margaret,  born  May  1,  1815,  in  Greenwich,  N.  Y.; 
came  to  Somonauk;  died  Dec.  29,  1885,  in  Wash- 
ington, Iowa.  Unmarried. 

173 


Somonauk  Church 

ix.  Elizabeth,  born  Mar.  7,  1817;  came  to  Somonauk; 
died  Feb.  23,  1858,  at  her  home  in  Clinton  town- 
ship, De  Kalb  County,  111.;  married  Jan.  14, 
1845,  David  (1)  Orr.  (See  page  206.) 
x.  Catherine,  born  May  25,  1821;  came  to  Somonauk; 
died,  unmarried,  Oct.  28,  1863,  in  Detroit,  Mich. 

About  1825  John  McCleery  and  family  removed  from 
Washington  County,  New  York,  to  Canada,  near  Niagara 
Falls.  They  did  not  take  with  them  their  church  certificates, 
intending  to  send  for  them  after  they  were  settled.  Through 
technicality  or  misunderstanding  it  was  necessary  for  James 
McCleery  to  make  a  trip  to  Philadelphia,  to  a  meeting  of  the 
synod,  to  get  the  matter  straightened  out.  Considering  the  facil- 
ities at  that  time,  it  would  be  equal  to  a  trip  from  New  York 
City  to  the  western  coast  seventy  years  later.  Thus  we  have  an 
example  of  the  value  placed  on  church  membership  in  early 
days,  and  also  the  strict  adherence  to  the  church  law  requiring 
letters  of  dismissal. 

John  McCleery,  with  his  entire  family,  including  the  family 
of  James  (2),  removed  from  Canada  to  the  neighborhood  of 
Dalton,  Ohio,  in  1841.  Here  the  father  died  in  1849.  In 
1851,  with  their  mother,  the  brothers  and  sisters,  except  John 
(2)  and  family,  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (McCleery)  Orr,  moved 
to  Somonauk  township,  Illinois.  John  (2)  and  the  Orr  family 
followed  in  1852. 

Mrs.  John  ( 1 )  McCleery  died  at  Somonauk,  Illinois,  Sep- 
tember 11,  1856,  and  was  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 
She  requested  her  sons  not  to  place  a  stone  at  her  grave,  so  her 
son  John  went  a  long  distance  and  procured  an  evergreen  tree 
to  mark  her  resting-place. 

JAMES  (2)  McCLEERY,  born  in  Argyle,  New  York,  June 
5,  1803,  died  February  22,  1892,  in  Washington,  Iowa. 
While  living  in  Canada,  James  (2)  married  Jean  Thomson 

174 


The  McCleery  Family 

about  January  1,  1833.  She  was  born  at  Stranraer,  Scotland,  in 
808;  died  in  Victor  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  in 
1858,  and  was  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Hugh  and  Ann  (Melvin)  Thomson.  Ann  Melvin 
was  a  daughter  of  James  Melvin  and  Jean  Paul.  Jean  Paul 
Melvin  was  a  sister  of  John  Paul,  better  known  as  John  Paul 
Jones,  one  of  America's  great  naval  heroes  in  the  War  of  the 
American  Revolution,  who  was  thus  Mrs.  James  McCleery's 
great  uncle. 

Children: 

i.  John  (3),  born  Jan.  22,  1834. 
ii.  James,  born  June  18,  1835. 
iii.  Hugh,  born  in  Canada;  lived  but  a  few  days, 
iv.  Robert,   born  in  Canada  Nov.   15,    1839;   died  Mar 

22,  1842,  in  Ohio, 
v.   Mary  Ann,  born  in  Canada  Jan.  22,  1841;  died  July 
31,   1907,  in  Reinbeck,   Iowa;    married  January, 
1865,  John  C.  (3)  Beveridge.  (See  page  99.) 
vi.   Margaret,  born  near  Dalton,  Ohio,  Feb.   22,    1843; 
died  Aug.  23,  1916,  at  her  home  in  Squaw  Grove 
township,  De  Kalb  County,  111.  After  her  mother's 
death  in  1858  she  lived  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  in  the 
home  of  Mr.  Harshe.  On  her  return  she  married, 
in  1862,  Alexander  (2)  Howison.  (Seepage  157.) 
vii.  Elizabeth,  born  near  Dalton,  Ohio,  Mar.  28,   1845; 
married  Sept.  10,  1873,  Thomas  Henderson  Rob- 
inson;  born  July  12,   1849.  They  bought  a  farm 
in  Clinton  township  from  David  Orr,  where  they 
lived  many  years   and   brought  up   their   family. 
Mrs.  Robinson  died  at  the  home  of  her  daughter, 
Isabelle  (Mrs.  Merritt  Hoy  Beveridge),  Sept.  23,' 
1922,  in  Somonauk  township,  De  Kalb  County^ 

175 


Somonauk  Church 

Children: 

i.  James  McCleery  (4)  Robinson, 
ii.  Isabelle  Robinson,  born  June  22,   1877;   mar- 
ried Merritt  Hoy  Beveridge.  (See  page  93.) 
iii.   Benjamin  Robinson. 

iv.  John    B.    Robinson    married    Margaret    Ethyl 
McCoy,  of  Indianapolis,  Iowa,  and  lives  on 
the  Robinson  homestead, 
v.   Lee  Robinson  died  young, 
vi.   Margaret  Robinson  married  Wallace  J.  Black, 

an  attorney  in  Peoria,  111. 
vii.  Jean  Elizabeth  Robinson  married  Wendell  A. 
Potter,  a  physician  in  Sandwich,  111. 

viii.   William  Doig,  born  June  10,  1848. 

JOHN  (3)  McCLEERY,  born  January  22,  1834,  in  Can- 
ada; died  in  Victor  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  Jan- 
uary 24,  1917;  married  Ann  McCall,  born  December  30, 
1840;  died  January  14,  1920,  on  the  farm  where  she  had 
lived  all  her  married  life.  They  were  married  September  10, 
1862,  and  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  September  10, 
1912. 

Children: 

i.   Robert  (4),  died  in  middle  life, 
ii.  John,  married  Mrs.  Alma  Fraser. 

Child: 

i.  Wayne  (5). 
iii.  James  Andrew,  unmarried, 
iv.   Margaret,  a  teacher  of  much  ability;   died  in  middle 

life, 
v.  Annie,  living  with  her  sister  Lulu  May. 
vi.  Lulu  May,  keeping  house   for  her  brother  James  on 
the  farmstead. 

176 


The  McCleery  Family 

vii.  Carlisle,    a    minister    of    the    gospel;    married    Jessie 

Bull.  They  have  three  children. 
viii.   Bessie,  married  Hoyt  Gilbert;   she  lives  in  Hinckley, 
111.;  her  husband  died  recently.  She  has  three  chil- 
dren. 

ix.   Benjamin   Henderson,   married  Sept.   3,    1924,   Mary 
Hastings.  They  have  one  son. 

JAMES   (3)   McCLEERY  was  born  in  Canada  June   18 
1835;  died  May  23,  1903,  on  his  farm  in  Clinton  township! 
De  Kalb  County,  Illinois;   married  February  1,   1858    Mar- 
garet Graham;   born  June  15,  1837;   died  August  16,'  1926 
in  Waterman,  Illinois. 

Children: 

i.   Sarah  Jane  (4).  vi.   Adaline. 

ii.  John  Andrew.  vii.   Isabel. 

ffi'   M^S^et.  viii.   William  Russell. 
1V-   Mar7-  ix.   Raymond, 

v.  Fannie  Elizabeth.  x.   Nettie. 

WILLIAM  DOIG  (3)  McCLEERY  was  born  near  Dalton, 
Ohio,  June  10,  1848;  died  at  his  home  in  Victor  township, 
De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  April  29,  1903;  married  first,  De- 

Tr^Jn0'  ^  Mar7  J^6"6  <5>  Randles;  bo™  August 
14,  1850,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  (4)  Randies;  died  Febru- 
ary 6,  1881. 

Children: 

i.   Howard    (4),    born    Apr.    1,    1873;    married    Ethel 
Carouthers,  and  is  farming  in  Alberta,  Canada 
Children: 

i.   Marian  (5).  iff.   Ruth. 

"'   Evelyn.  iv.   Marjorie. 

177 


Somonauk  Church 

ii.  Albert,  born  May  4,  1875;  married  Feb.  20,  1902,  in 
De  Kalb  County,  111.  Mary  Ellen  (4)  Henry, 
born  Oct.  17,  1875,  and  now  living  on  a  farm 
near  Goldfield,  Iowa. 

Children: 

i.   Mary  Jeanette  (5). 
ii.  Irene  Ellen. 
iii.   Sarah  Belle. 

William    Doig   McCleery   married   second,    February    21, 
1882,    Jennie    Elizabeth    Maxwell;     born    in    Washington 
County,  New  York,  November  24,  1858.  She  is  living  (1927) 
in  New  Concord,  Ohio. 
Children: 

i.   Ruth  (4),  died  in  infancy, 
ii.   Harry,    married    Ethel    Graham.    They   are    farming 

near  Butler,  Ind. 
iii.  Archie,  married  and  is  living  in  Indiana, 
iv.  John,  married  and  is  living  in  New  Concord,  Ohio. 
He  is  a  physician   and   for  a   few  years  he   was 
medical  missionary  in  the  Soudan  district,  Africa, 
but  returned  because  of  ill  health.  He  hopes  to  be 
able  to  return  to  the  Soudan,  and  in  the  meantime 
is  the  College  Physician  in  New  Concord,  Ohio, 
v.  Fannie,     married     Kenneth     Ferguson,     in     Alberta, 

Canada, 
vi.   Catherine,  born  May  22,  1851:  died  May  25,  1855. 

EDWARD  COOK  (2)  McCLEERY,  sixth  child  of  John 
(1)  was  born  March  18,  1811,  in  Greenwich,  Washington 
County,  New  York;  died  May  6,  1889,  at  Washington,  Iowa. 
At  Dalton,  Ohio,  he  married  Jane  Bell;  born  at  Dalton,  Octo- 
ber 13,  1824;  died  September  8,  1889,  in  Washington,  Iowa. 

178 


The  McCleery  Family 

They  removed  from  Dalton,  Ohio,  to  Somonauk,  Illinois, 
in  the  spring  of  1851,  bought  a  farm  two  miles  south  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  and  lived  there  while  they  were 
in  Illinois. 

Children : 

i.   Margaret  Ann  (3),  born  May  1,  1844;  died  Sept.  29, 

1902,  at  Somonauk,  111.;  married  Robert  Watson. 

ii.  Isabel  Jane,  born  Aug.  5,  1845;  died  Feb.  16,  1846, 

at  Dalton,  Ohio. 
iii.  John  William,  born  Dec.  29,    1846;    died  July  23, 
1852,  from  the  bite  of  a  rattlesnake,  at  Somonauk, 
111. 

iv.  Eliza  Ellen,   born  Oct.    13,    1848;    married  Charles 

Weeks.  Is  living  in  Alhambra,  Cal. 
v.  Robert  James,   born  Apr.   30,    1850;    died   Oct.    13, 

1917;  married  Ida  Ball, 
vi.  Samuel,  born  Sept.  26,    1852;    died  Feb.    12,    1918; 
married  Eva  Lincoln.  He  served  one  term  in  the 
Iowa  legislature, 
vii.  Mary,  born  Oct.  8,  1854;  lives  in  Los  Angeles,  Cal.; 

married  James  A.  Walker, 
viii.  Isabella,  died  young, 
ix.  Edward,   born  Apr.    13,    1860;    died  Aug.   2,    1887, 
in  Iowa. 

x.  David,   born  Mar.   5,    1862;    died  Jan.    8,    1885,  in 

Iowa, 
xi.   Catherine   Bell,   born   July   2,    1867;    died    July   25, 
1872. 

JOHN  (2)  McCLEERY,  born  May  30,  1813;  died  Decem- 
ber 5,  1887;  married  about  1845,  Adaline  Coleman;  born 
December  28,  1826;  died  March  9,  1903.  They  removed 
from  Dalton,  Ohio,  to  Somonauk,  Illinois,  in  1852,  and  lived 

179 


Somonauk  Church 

on  a  farm   for  several  years  in  Clinton  township,  De  Kalb 
County.  Both  are  buried  at  Washington,  Iowa. 

Children: 

i.  James  Martin  (3),  born  July  23,  1847. 
ii.   Marie,  born  in  1849;   died  in  1917,  at  Washington, 
Iowa;  married  James  Laughead. 

Children: 

i.   Adelbert  (4)  Laughead,  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa, 
ii.  William  Laughead,  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa, 
iii.  Ethel  Laughead,  in  Laboratory  Department  of 

the  City  Hospital,  Aurora,  111. 
iv.   Lulu  Laughead,  married  Dr.  J.  E.  Edgington, 
Washington, 
iii.  Thomas,  M.  D,  died  in  1917  at  Exeter,  Neb.;   had 

two  children, 
iv.   Edward,  living  in  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 
v.  John,  died  in  California  in  1924. 

Elizabeth,  married  Rev.  Mr.  Marshall.  While  trav- 
eling with  her  husband,  Mrs.  Marshall  died  in 
Palestine  and  was  buried  in  Jerusalem  in  the  Prot- 
estant burial  ground. 
Margaret,  born  May  — ,  1865;  died  Sept.  25,  1903. 
She  was  the  first  graduate  nurse  of  Washington 
County,  Iowa.  She  also  graduated  from  the  Illi- 
nois Training  School,  Chicago,  111.,  at  the  head  of 
her  class.  She  became  a  nurse  of  great  ability, 
viii.   Andrew,  died  in  infancy. 

JAMES  MARTIN  (3)  McCLEERY  was  born  July  23, 
1847;  died  at  Waterloo,  Iowa,  in  1917,  at  the  home  of  his  son 
George.  He  married  Sarah  Agnes  (8)  French,  daughter  of 
William  and  Isabel  (Beveridge)  French.  Sarah  French  was  a 
granddaughter  of  George  and  Ann  (Hoy)  Beveridge.  She 
died  June"' 10,  1926. 

180 


VI. 


Vll. 


The  McCleery  Family 

Children: 

i.   Hugh  (4),  married  in  1902,  Ola  Hamilton. 
Children: 

i.   Richard   (5),  a  graduate  of  Muskingum  Col- 
lege, New  Concord,  Ohio;  now  associated  with 
his  father  in  business, 
ii.   Carolyn,  a  student  at  Monmouth  College. 

After  graduating  from  the  Washington  (Iowa) 
Academy,  Hugh  (4)  was  city  editor  of  the  Wash- 
ington (Iowa)  Journal  for  about  ten  years;  served 
in  the  Spanish-American  War  on  the  Florida  east 
coast;  has  manufactured  art  calendars  for  adver- 
tising purposes  for  more  than  twenty  years.  He  was 
elected  ruling  elder  of  the  First  Washington 
(Iowa)  United  Presbyterian  Church  in  1914  and 
has  been  clerk  of  session  since  that  time.  He  is  at 
present  chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the 
Washington  County  Hospital,  and  was  president 
of  the  Washington  County  Chautauqua  Association 
this  year,  1926,  and  also  chairman  of  the  Wash- 
ington Rotary  Club. 
ii.   Marie,  married   Roy  Randies;    living  in   Waterman, 

111.;  has  three  children, 
iii.  George,  in  business  in  Waterloo,  Iowa;  has  two  chil- 
dren, 
iv.   Harriet,   married   A.   E.   Weber;    died  and  buried  at 
Clarion,  Iowa. 
Children : 

i.   Nicholas  Francis  (5). 
ii.   Isabel. 

v.   Ada     Belle,     superintendent    of    Evanston     Hospital, 

Evanston,  111. 
vi.   Agnes,    married   A.    E.    Weber,    Clarion,    Iowa.    Mr. 
Weber  is  connected  with  a  Clarion  bank. 

181 


Somonauk  Church 
The  McClellan  Family 

ROBERT  (1)  McCLELLAN,  born  in  Galloway,  Scotland, 
in  1716;  died  in  Salem,  New  York,  August  24,  1789;  married 
in  1754,  Nicholes  Gordon,  of  the  family  famous  in  Scottish 
history;  born  in  Scotland  in  1730;  died  in  Cambridge,  New 
York,  in  1799.  They  left  their  home  in  Micklemox,  Parish  of 
Buttle,  Scotland,  in  June,  1774.  After  a  voyage  of  three 
months  in  the  ship  Golden  Rule  they  landed  in  New  York  City. 
From  there  they  journeyed  by  way  of  Albany  to  Burley,  Ver- 
mont, being  four  days  in  crossing  the  Green  Mountains.  No 
wheeled  vehicle  had  ever  crossed  at  that  point.  In  1784  they 
removed  to  Hebron,  Washington  County,  New  York.  An  in- 
teresting account  of  the  family  will  be  found  in  a  letter  writ- 
ten by  William,  their  eldest  son. 

Children: 

i.  William  (2),  born  1755. 

ii.  John.   (See  page  188.) 

iii.  Robert,  born  1766.  (See  page  188.) 

iv.  Grissey,  born  1769.  (See  page  190.) 

v.  Mary.  (See  page  190.) 

vi.  Nancy.  (See  page  190.) 

WILLIAM  (2)  McCLELLAN,  born  1755,  Parish  of  But- 
tle, Scotland;  died ;  married  first,  March  2,  1786,  Janet, 

a  daughter  of  James  Thompson,  of  Salem;  born  May  15, 
1766;  died  October  7,  1808.  Married  second,  January  — , 
1811,  Rachel,  a  daughter  of  John  Armitage,  of  Cambridge, 
New  York.  There  were  eight  children  by  the  first  marriage, 
four  daughters  and  four  sons.  We  have  record  of  only  one  of 
these  children. 

Child: 

i.  James  (3),  born  Apr.  4,  1794.  (See  page  184.) 

182 


The  McClellan  Family 

The  following  account  of  this  family  is  contained  in  a  letter 
written  by  William  McClellan:  "I,  William  McClellan,  for 
the  information  of  my  children,  and  all  it  may  concern,  do,  on 
this  5th  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1829,  write 
the  following  memorandum : 

"I  was  born  in  the  town  of  Micklemox,  Parish  of  Buttle,  in 
the  year  1755,  and  in  1769,  we  moved  to  the  new  town  in  the 
Parish  of  Twenhold  in  the  Stewartry  of  Galloway,  Scotland, 
near  Kilcudbright,  where  we  lived  five  years  under  Lord  Sel- 
kirk. 

"In  1774,  my  father,  Robert  McClellan,  and  my  mother, 
Nicholes  Gordon,  and  six  children  of  us — William,  John, 
Grisey,  Robert,  Mary  and  Nancy — set  out  for  America.  We 
set  sail  at  the  mouth  of  the  River  Dee,  sailed  around  to  the  Isle 
of  Whitham,  where  we  took  in  the  most  of  our  passengers. 

"Then  we  set  sail  on  board  of  the  ship  Golden  Rule-,  she 
proved  leaky  and  we  put  into  Dublin  to  get  her  refitted,  where 
we  remained  three  days.  The  ship  Jenny  started  the  same  hour 
each  about  250  passengers. 

"We  had  a  long  passage  of  three  months  and  four  days  to 
New  York,  the  ship  Jenny  getting  in  one  day  before  us.  We  had 
provisions  pretty  plenty  found  us  and  paid  about  five  guineas 
each  per  passenger. 

"Then  we  went  from  New  York  to  Albany,  from  thence  to 
Manchester,  New  Hampshire,  from  there  across  the  Green 
Mountains  to  Burley,  only  fourteen  miles,  the  road  being  new, 
we  were  four  days  getting  over  there.  There  never  had  been 
a  wheeled  carriage  across  there  before.  From  Burley  we  went  to 
Springfield  in  Vermont,  on  the  Connecticut  River,  where  we 
remained  about  ten  years. 

"We  got  there  late  in  the  fall  and  the  Revolution  broke  out 
the  next  spring. 

"In  the  year  1784  we  moved  from  Springfield  to  Black 
Creek,  now  called  Hebron,  in  the  County  of  Washington  and 
State  of  New  York. 

183 


Somonauk  Church 

"Our  father  and  mother  and  part  of  the  family  lived  in 
Salem  a  number  of  years.  Our  father,  Robert  McClellan,  died 
in  the  year  1789,  aged  73  years,  and  was  buried  in  Salem. 

"Grissey,  our  eldest  sister,  married  Colen  Maxwell  of  Cam- 
bridge. They  had  one  child,  George,  and  soon  after  he  was  born 
his  mother  died  in  the  year  1 792,  aged  23  years,  and  was  buried 

in  Salem.  ,      . 

"In  1799,  our  mother  died,  aged  69  years,  and  was  buried  in 
Cambridge  where  our  brother  John  had  moved. 

"Our  brother-in-law,  John  Hall,  had  moved  to  Argyle,  died 
and  was  buried  there  in  1828,  aged  about  64  years. 

"Our  brother,  Robert  McClellan,  died  in  the  year  1829, 
agecl  —  years,  and  was  buried  in  Hebron. 

"I,  William  McClellan,  was  married  to  Janet  Thompson, 
of  Salem,  on  the  2nd  day  of  March,  1786. 

"We  had  eight  children,  four  sons  and  four  daughters.  We 
lived  happily  together  22  years,  8  months  and  5  days.  She  died 
the  7th  day  of  October,  1808,  aged  42  years,  4  months  and  22 
days.  She  was  buried  in  the  burying  ground  in  Hebron.  'The 
sweet  remembrance  of  the  just  shall  flourish  when  they  sleep 
in  the  dust.'  She  was  one  of  the  best  of  women  and  died  so,  I 

believe. 

"In  two  years  and  three  months  after  my  first  wife  s  death 
I  married  Rachel  Armitage,  daughter  of  John  Armitage,  of 
Cambridge,  with  whom  we  lived  agreeably  to  this  date. 

"Our  youngest  sister,  Nancy,  was  first  married  to  Rev.  John 
Cree,  afterward  to  John  Moody.  She  died  April  22,  1832." 

JAMES  (3)  McCLELLAN,  born  April  4,  1794;  died 
February  8,  1869;  married  Hannah  Nelson,  born  September 
13,  1794;  died  August  12,  1855;  a  daughter  of  John  Rogers 
Nelson,  of  Hebron.  They  had  eight  children. 

Children:     i.  Samuel  Nelson  (4),  born  Nov.  9,  1826. 

ii.   James,  born  Sept.  18,  1830.  (See  page  186.) 

184 


The  McClellan  Family 

SAMUEL  NELSON  (4),  McCLELLAN,  born  in  Hebron, 
Washington  County,  New  York,  November  9,  1826;  died  in 
Squaw  Grove  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  July  28, 
1898;  married,  in  the  home  of  Mrs.  Jemima  Hoy  Cummings, 
in  Somonauk  township,  De  Kalb  County,  September  30,  1856, 
Margaret  Macklin;  born  in  Glenagoosland,  Ireland,  Septem- 
ber 16,  1836;  died  in  Squaw  Grove  township  April  22,  1898, 
daughter  of  James  and  Margaret  (Tompson)  Macklin.  Mrs. 
McClellan  came  to  Hebron,  New  York,  when  six  years  of  age 
and  lived  there  until  she  came  with  Mrs.  Cummings  to  Somon- 
auk in  1855. 

Samuel  Nelson  McClellan  came  to  Somonauk,  Illinois,  in 
1856,  and  purchased  a  farm  about  a  mile  north  of  Freeland 
Corners,  where  he  brought  up  his  family.  He  united  with  the 
Associate  Church  and  was  a  constant  attendant  as  long  as 
he  lived. 

Children: 

i.  James  C.  (5),  born  Feb.  12,  1859. 
ii.   Margaret,  born  Mar.  22,  1861. 
iii.   Elizabeth,  born  Nov.  11,  1864. 
iv.   Mima  C,  born  Jan.  19,  1867. 
v.  Jennie,  born  Jan.  2,  1869. 
vi.  John  R.,  born  Aug.  22,  1871. 
vii.  Alfred  Nelson,  born  Nov.  23,  1873. 
viii.   Mattie  May,  born  Mar.  22,  1876. 
ix.   William  Ralph,  born  Sept.  16,  1880. 

JAMES  C.  (5)   McCLELLAN,  born  February  12,   1859; 
married  Mary  C.  Worth. 
Children: 

i.   Margaret  Ethel  (6). 
ii.  Verna  Hazel. 
iii.   Cora  Madge. 

185 


Somonauk  Church 

MARGARET  (5)  McCLELLAN,  born  March  22,  1861; 
married  January  24,  1884,  Hoyt  J.  Wilcox. 
Child: 

i.  Ethel  (6)  Wilcox. 

ELIZABETH    (5)    McCLELLAN,    born    November    11, 
1864;   died  July   16,   1916;   married  February,   1883,  Ells- 
worth E.  Wilcox. 
Children: 

i.  Edna  Pearl  (6)  Wilcox. 
ii.  Earl  Wilcox, 
iii.   Myrtle  Belle  Wilcox. 

MIMA  C.  (5)  McCLELLAN,  born  January  19,  1867;  mar- 
ried September  13,  1917,  Arent  H.  van  Ohlen. 
JENNIE   (5)  McCLELLAN,  born  January  2,  1869;  died 
April  24,  1903. 

JOHN  RUSSELL    (5)    McCLELLAN,  born  August  22, 
1871;  married  October  7,  1896,  Irene  Hubbard. 
Children: 

i.  Lois  Margaret  (6).  vi.   Dorothy  Elizabeth, 

ii.  Mima  Elma.  vii.  Gladys  Birdella. 

iii.  Kenneth  Nelson.  viii.  Cyril, 

iv.  Ralph  Raymond.  ix.  Clifford  Alden. 

v.  Preston  Russell. 
WILLIAM  RALPH   (5)   McCLELLAN,  born  September 
16,  1880;  married  January  10,  1909,  Lucy  Shipman. 
Children: 

i.   Melvin  Wendell   (6).         iii.   Beth, 
ii.   Margaret  Iona.  iv.  Willard. 

JAMES  (4)  McCLELLAN,  born  September  18,  1830,  in 
Hebron,  New  York;  came  to  Somonauk  in  1856;  united  with 
the  Somonauk  church  and  soon  after  purchased  a  farm  north 

186 


The  McClellan  Family 

of  Freeland  Corners,  near  his  brother,  Samuel  Nelson,  Octo- 
ber 17,  1861;  married  Emeline  Amanda  Stewart,  daughter 
of  Elijah  and  Agnes  (McGaughey)  Stewart,  at  Somonauk, 
Illinois,  their  pastor,  the  Rev.  W.  T.  Moffett,  performing  the 
ceremony.  In  1889  they  removed  to  Monmouth,  Illinois,  that 
they  might  have  their  children  at  home  while  they  were  attend- 
ing college.  Mr.  McClellan  and  his  wife  died  in  Monmouth. 
Children : 

i.  Theresa  Agnes  (5),  born  Aug.  14,  1863;  married 
Dec.  31,  1885,  Alexander  Skinner  French;  born 
Nov.  8,  1855.  Their  daughter,  Alta  Grace,  was  a 
teacher  for  three  years  in  the  Pressley  Memorial 
Institute,  Assint,  Egypt,  and  has  since  been  ap- 
pointed a  regular  missionary.  (See  page  123.) 
ii.  William  Stewart,  born  Jan.  15,  1866;  married  Mag- 
dalen W.  Turnbull;  born  Dec.  15,  1869,  at 
Morning  Sun,  Iowa.  They  are  living  at  Long 
Beach,  Cal. 
iii.  Ernest  Stewart,  born  May  20,  1869;  married  Lulu 
Belle  Knox;  born  June  22,  1867,  at  Paxton,  111. 
Their  daughter,  Mary  Emeline,  born  April,  1895, 
is  a  teacher  in  Whittier  College, 
iv.  Mary  Boyd,  born  June  23,  1873;  married  Rev.  A.  A. 
Samson;  died  Apr.  11,  1924.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Sam- 
son was  a  Reformed  Presbyterian  minister  for 
eight  years  in  New  Concord,  Ohio;  five  years  in 
Topeka,  Kan. ;  seven  years  in  New  York  City,  and 
two  years  in  Los  Angeles,  Cal.  He  died  as  a  result 
of  an  automobile  accident  in  Los  Angeles, 
v.  Grace  Annette,  born  Jan.  5,  1876;  died  Nov.  29, 
1895,  in  Monmouth  College  where  she  was  a  stu- 
dent, 
vi.  Harry  Vincent,  born  Dec.  6,  1884;  married  Ethel 
St.  Clair.  He  is  a  teacher  of  chemistry  in  Seattle, 
Wash. 

187 


Somonauk  Church 

JOHN   (2)   McCLELLAN,  married  Sarah  Thompson,  and 
died  in  Cambridge,  New  York. 

ROBERT  (2)  McCLELLAN  was  born  in  1766,  in  Mick- 
lemox,  Parish  of  Buttle,  Scotland;  died  January  6,  1829,  and 
was  buried  in  Hebron,  New  York;  married  Mary  Thompson; 
born  in  1768,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (Rowen) 
Thompson,  who  were  members  of  the  party  that,  under  the 
leadership  of  Dr.  Clark,  migrated  from  Ireland  in  1764  and 
settled  in  Salem,  Washington  County,  New  York. 
Children: 

i.   Sarah   (3),  born  Dec.   11,   1794;   married  Alexander 

(2)   Beveridge.   (See  page  98.) 
ii.  William,  born  Oct.  30,   1796. 
iii.   Robert  Gordon,  born  Sept.  17,  1799. 
iv.   Nancy,  born  Feb.  3,  1802. 
v.  John,  born  July  24,  1804. 

vi.   Phoebe  F.,   born   Aug.    14,    1808;    married   William 
(2)  Armstrong.  (See  page  80.) 

ROBERT  GORDON  (3)  McCLELLAN,  born  in  Hebron, 
New  York,  September  17,  1799;  died  November  11,  1864; 
married,  first,  February  19,  1829,  Nancy  Cruickshank,  of 
Salem,  New  York;  born  August  12,  1804;  died  in  Hebron, 
New  York,  March  5,  1854. 
Children: 

i.   Peter  Cruickshank  (4),  born  Oct.  26,  1829. 
ii.   Robert,  born  Sept.    10,    1832;    died,  Hebron,  N.  Y., 

Oct.  21,  1856. 
iii.   Mary,  born  Aug.  2,  1834;  died,  Hebron,  N.  Y.,  Oct. 

22,  1866. 
iv.   David  Martin,  born  May  23,   1837,  Hebron,  N.  Y.; 

died  Mar.  6,  1913,  at  Perth,  N.  Y. 
v.   Margaret,  born  May  25,   1839;   died,  Oxford,  Ohio, 
Nov.  14,  1921. 

188 


The  McClellan  Family 

On  January   28,    1857,    Robert   Gordon    (3)    McClellan 
married  as  his  second  wife  Margaret  Liddle,  of  Salem,  New 
York. 
Child: 

i.   Delliplaine  (4),  born  Hebron,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  17,  1860; 
died  Kansas  City,  Kan.,  Feb.  13,  1913. 

PETER  CRUICKSHANK  (4)  McCLELLAN,  born  near 
West  Hebron,  Washington  County,  New  York,  October  26, 
1829;  died,  Somonauk,  Illinois,  April  25,  1898;  married 
September  7,  1864,  Isabel  Beveridge,  a  daughter  of  Mathew 
and  Elizabeth  (Hutton)  Beveridge. 

As  a  boy  he  made  good  use  of  such  educational  advantages 
as  were  afforded  and  laid  a  foundation  on  which  he  builded 
throughout  his  whole  life.  For  a  time  he  taught  school  in  his 
home  county  and  later  in  Iowa,  and  then  decided  to  be  a 
farmer,  subordinating  personal  ambition  to  promote  the  in- 
terests of  his  younger  brothers  and  sisters. 

Being  a  devoted  Christian  and  descended  from  generations 
of  church  men  and  women,  "he  had  so  partaken  of  the  divine 
nature,"  writes  one  of  his  descendants,  "that  he  somehow 
evidenced  the  presence  and  power  of  Christ  to  his  fellow  men." 
It  is  related  that  on  one  occasion  a  street  scoffer  was  berating 
the  church  and  demeaning  Christians  in  general.  A  bystander 
called  attention  to  Peter  McClellan  riding  by  and  asked  if  he 
included  him  in  his  denunciations.  The  man  hung  his  head 
for  a  moment  and  then  replied,  "But  Peter  is  different."  As 
a  Bible  teacher  and  superintendent  of  the  Sabbath  School  he 
made  careful  and  thorough  preparation.  In  consequence  he 
succeeded  in  this  work  far  beyond  the  usual  layman.  It  is  not 
surprising  to  find  that  he  was  a  responsible  citizen  who  re- 
received  and  deserved  the  confidence  of  the  community. 

Child: 

i.   Mary  Ella  (5),  born  Nov.  7,  1869. 

189 


Somonauk  Church 

MARY  ELLA  (5)  McCLELLAN,  born  November  7, 
1869;  married  October  11,  1894,  Rev.  John  Ewing  Brad- 
ford. Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bradford  were  graduates  of  Mon- 
mouth College,  and  together  they  shared  the  responsibilities 
of  two  pastorates  held  by  Mr.  Bradford,  one  in  Tranquillity, 
Ohio,  and  the  other  in  Media,  Illinois.  In  1905  they  moved 
to  Oxford,  Ohio,  where  for  fourteen  years  Mr.  Bradford  was 
Professor  of  History  and  instructor  in  the  Bible  in  Miami 
University.  Since  his  appointment  as  general  secretary  of  the 
Board  of  Education  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  in 
1919,  their  home  has  been  in  Chicago. 

Children: 

i.   Margaret  (6)  Bradford, 
ii.  Isabel  Bradford, 
iii.  James  McClellan  Bradford, 
iv.   Martha  Agnes  Bradford. 

GRISSEY    (2)    McCLELLAN,   born    1769;    died    1792; 
married  Colen  Maxwell,  of  Cambridge,  New  York.  She  is 
buried  in  Salem. 
Child: 

i.   George  (3)  Maxwell. 

MARY   (2)   McCLELLAN,  born  ;    married  John 

Hall,  of  Argyle,  who  died  1828. 

NANCY  (2)  McCLELLAN,  born ;  died  April  22, 

1832;  married  first  Rev.  John  Cree;  married  second,  John 
Moody. 

The  McEachron  Family 

DONALD  (1)  McEACHRON,  with  his  wife,  Anna  Mc- 
Donald, a  sister  of  Mrs.  Alexander  McNaughton,  and  their 
daughter  Catharine,  came  from  the  Isle  of  Islay,  Scotland, 
with  the  first  of  Captain  Lauchlan  Campbell's  Highland  Scotch 

190 


The  McEachron  Family 

colonists  in    1738,   and  settled  in   Kakiate,   Orange   County, 
New  York.  By  1764  Donald  (1)  had  died,  leaving  his  widow 
with  three  sons  and  three  daughters. 
Children: 

i.   Catharine  (2),  born  in  Scotland.  Not  traced. 

ii.  Cornelius,  "Neil,"  born  in  1739. 

iii.  John.  (See  page  195.) 

iv.  Peter,  born  in  1748.  (See  page  195.) 

v.   Daughter.  Not  traced. 

vi.   Daughter.  Not  traced. 

CORNELIUS  (2)  McEACHRON  was  born  in  1739;  set- 
tled in  Argyle,  New  York,  in  1775,  where  he  died  in  October, 
1817;  married  about  1767,  Katharine  Acker,  who  died  in 
1819.  Mrs.  McEachron  was  of  Scotch  parentage  and  was 
adopted  by  a  Holland  Dutch  family  of  the  name  of  Acker. 
Their  five  eldest  children  were  born  in  Tappan,  Orange 
County,  New  York,  and  the  others  in  Argyle. 
Children: 

i.   Daniel  N.  (3),  born  1768;  died  in  Argyle,  Nov.  19, 

1828,  unmarried, 
ii.  Jacob,   married   Elizabeth,   a   daughter  of  Alexander 

Simpson,  Sr. 
iii.  John  N.,  born  Oct.  4,  1771. 
iv.   Cornelius,    married   Nancy   McEachron    [Peter    (2), 

Donald  (1)]. 
v.   Peter  N.,  born  Oct.  1,  1774.  (See  page  192.) 
vi.  Philip,  born  Oct.  19,  1776.  (See  page  194.) 
vii.   Alexander.  Not  traced, 
viii.   Catharine,  married  John  Livingston, 
ix.  Ann,  married  Samuel  Gamble, 
x.   Sarah,  died  young. 

JOHN  N.  (3)  McEACHRON  was  born  October  1,  1771; 
died  in  Argyle,  March  30,  1850;  married  Jane  Nelson;  born 

191 


Somonauk  Church 

in  1777;  died  November  1,  1843.  Mrs.  McEachron  was  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  Nelson  and  Isabel  Rogers. 

Child: 

i.  James  A.  (4),  born  Dec.   1,  1817. 

JAMES  A.  (4)  McEACHRON  was  born  December  1,  1817, 
in  Argyle,  Washington  County,  New  York;  died  September  1, 
1867,  in  Somonauk  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois; 
married  in  Argyle,  Margaret  McGeoch;  born  in  Washington 
County,  New  York,  July  14,  1816,  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Agnes  (McClure)  McGeoch;  died  in  Somonauk  township, 
De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  November  25,  1886.  They  left  no 
children.  Arriving  in  Illinois  in  1858,  they  became  members 
of  the  church  by  certificate. 

Mrs.  McEachron  married  second,  Edward  D.  Whitney. 
He  died  several  years  ago.  They  are  buried  in  Oak  Mound 
Cemetery. 

PETER  N.  (3)  McEACHRON  was  born  October  1,  1774; 
died  in  Argyle,  February  1,  1859;  married  there  July  18, 
1802,  Mary,  a  daughter  of  Dougal  McKallor;  born  April 
15,  1777;  died  February  13,  1852.  They  had  nine  children. 

Child: 

i.  John  Andrew  (4),  born  Mar.  20,  1818. 

JOHN  ANDREW  (4)  McEACHRON,  the  ninth  child  of 
Peter  N.  (3),  was  born  in  Argyle,  New  York,  March  20, 
1818;  died  near  Waterman,  Illinois,  June  8,  1887;  married 
in  Argyle,  New  York,  January  1,  1851,  Jeannette,  a  daughter 
of  George  and  Mary  (Robinson)  Lendrum;  born  September 
24,  1825;  died  near  Waterman,  Illinois,  March  28,  1879. 
*  They  removed  from  Washington  County,  New  York,  to 
De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  in  the  spring  of  1866,  and  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  Clinton  township  from  Milo  Tuttle.  They 
joined  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  at  Somonauk  by  certif- 

192 


The  McEachron  Family 

icate  of  good  standing  from  the  Argyle  church,  and  their  chil- 
dren later  became  members.  They  are  buried  in  Oak  Mound 
Cemetery. 

Children: 

i.  Frank  (5). 

ii.   Mary,  married  Daniel  Weigle.   He  died  some  years 
ago. 
Children: 

i.  Nora  (6)  Weigle.      iv.   Roscoe  Weigle. 
ii.  Rose  Weigle.  v.  Jeanette  Weigle. 

iii.  Aravista  Weigle. 
iii.  Acker. 

iv.  Helen,  died  unmarried, 
v.  Nora,  married  Gilbert  Henry, 
vi.   Duncan  Lendrum. 

FRANK  (5)  McEACHRON,  married  Florence  Miller. 
They  are  both  dead. 

Children: 

i.  Jeanette  (6). 
ii.  Norma, 
iii.  Harold. 

ACKER  (5)  McEACHRON  married  Finette  Norton  in 
1886,  at  Waterman,  Illinois,  and  soon  after  went  into  business 
with  a  lumber  company  at  Franklin,  Nebraska,  of  which  town 
he  was  mayor  for  some  years.  In  1910  he  was  nominated  for 
governor  of  Iowa  on  the  Prohibition  ticket.  Later  he  was 
stationed  at  Oak  Park,  Illinois,  for  a  number  of  years.  From 
there  he  removed  to  Waterloo,  Iowa.  At  present  he  is  living 
in  Goldfield,  Iowa. 
Children: 

i.   Ruth    (6),  married  and  has  four  children.   She  is  a 

leader   among   women    in    many    departments   of 

good  work. 

193 


Somonauk  Church 

ii.  Scott  A.  is  married  and  has  two  children;  lives  in 
California,  where  he  is  prominent  in  the  banking 
world. 

iii.  Paul  N.  is  Professor  of  Psychology  in  Oberlin  Col- 
lege, Ohio;  is  married  and  has  four  children. 

DUNCAN  LENDRUM  (5)  McEACHRON  married  Ella 
Scott  at  Burlingham,  Kansas.  Their  children  were  born  at 
Topeka,  Kansas. 

Children : 

i.  Don  Scott  (6).  iv.  Robert, 

ii.  Lendrum  S.  v.  Jean. 

iii.  John  Douglass. 

Professor  McEachron  has  been  associated  with  Washburn 
College  as  a  teacher  for  thirty  years.  He  is  now  vice-president 
and  was  for  many  years  dean  of  the  college.  Among  his  many 
duties  he  has  charge  of  the  endowment  fund  of  $200,000. 
Mrs.  McEachron,  a  superior  woman,  busy  in  church,  school 
and  social  work,  has  made  a  beautiful  home  as  well. 

PHILIP  (3)  McEACHRON  was  born  October  19,  1776; 
died  in  Argyle,  March  27,  1842;  married  first,  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Henry  Tinkley,  Jr.;  married  second,  Catharine 
McKallor;  born  in  Argyle,  February  16,  1781;  died  there 
March  18,  1852.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Dougal  McKallor, 
son  of  Archibald  (1)  and  Janet  (Reed)  McKallor. 

Child  by  second  marriage: 

i.  Thomas  (4),  seventh  son  of  the  above;  born  Oct.  13, 
1819. 

THOMAS  (4)  McEACHRON  was  born  October  13,  1819; 
died  November  29,  1902;  married  in  Argyle,  New  York, 
March  12,  1846,  Margaret  Gregg,  a  daughter  of  George 
Lendrum  and  wife  Mary,  daughter  of  Duncan  and  Jeannette 

194 


The  McEachron  Family 

(Robeson)    Robinson;    born   in  Argyle,   October   20,    1823; 
died  January  8,  1897. 

In  the  spring  of  1867,  Mr.  McEachron  came  with  his 
family  to  Somonauk,  Illinois,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  in 
Clinton  township,  built  a  house,  and  made  further  improve- 
ments; and  here  the  parents  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  McEachron  and  their  children  were  devoted  mem- 
bers of  the  Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
Children,  born  in  Argyle: 

i.  George  Lendrum  (5),  born  June  21,  1848;  died  Oct. 

28,  1910;  married  Cornelia  McGeoch. 
ii.   Mary  Robertson,  born  Jan.  20,   1851;   died  Dec.   7, 
1892;  married  Andrew  Graham.  (See  page  134.) 
iii.  Anna  Jennette,  born  Dec.  27,  1854;  married  James 

(4)  Graham.  (Seepage  137.) 
iv.  Emma  G.,  born  Aug.  31,  1860;  died  Dec.  4,  1900; 
married  Dec.    13,   1888,  John  Elsey,  of  Seattle, 
Wash. 
Children: 

i.  Ernest  (6)  Elsey. 
ii.  Everette  Edward  Elsey. 
iii.  William  Floyd  Elsey. 
iv.  Marguerita  Ellen  Elsey. 
v.  George  Leigh  Elsey. 
vi.  Thomas  Reed  Elsey. 

JOHN  (2)  McEACHRON  married  Mary,  daughter  of 
Duncan  and  Mary  (Gillis)  Taylor.  This  family  changed  the 
name  to  McCarter  and  settled  in  New  York  City. 

PETER  (2)  McEACHRON  was  born  in  1748;  died  in 
Argyle,  New  York,  December  19,  1841;  married  Maria, 
daughter  of  George  and  Eva  Gertrude  (Dings)  Kilmore,  of 
Argyle,  New  York.  Mrs.  Peter  (2)  McEachron's  sister,  Eva 
Kilmore,  married  John  Allen  and,  with  her  family  was  killed 

195 


Somonauk  Church 

by  a  band  of  Indians,  in  Argyle,  New  York,  July  25,  1777. 
Mr.  McEachron  is  mentioned  as  having  been  on  picket  duty 
in  Salem  on  that  day. 
Child: 

i.  Nancy  (3),  married  Cornelius  (3). 

The  Mahaflfey  Family 

JOHN  (2)  MAHAFFEY  was  a  son  of  John  (1)  and  Ella 
Mahaffey,  both  of  Monaghan  County,  Ireland;  born  in  Gort- 
more,  April  16,  1837;  died  March  11,  1917,  in  De  Kalb, 
Illinois;  married,  December  25,  1861,  Martha,  daughter  of 
John  and  Mary  Brant,  of  Essex  County,  New  York.  She  was 
born  October  4,  1837,  in  Montreal,  Canada;  died  June  3, 
1894,  at  her  home  near  Hinckley,  Illinois. 
Children: 

i.  Thomas  J.  (3),  born  Sept.  21,  1862. 

ii.  Martha  L,  born  Oct.  12,  1864. 

iii.   Robert  David,  born  Nov.  2,   1866. 

iv.  John  Andrew,  born  Apr.  20,  1869. 

v.   Margaret  McClellan,  born  June  30,   1871. 

vi.   Mary  Winifred,  born  Sept.  21,  1873. 

vii.  William  Armstrong,  born  July  18,  1876. 
viii.   Gordon  Kennedy,  born  Nov.  17,  1878. 

THOMAS  J.  (3)  MAHAFFEY,  born  September  21,  1862, 
in  Argyle,  New  York;  married  Myra  Overbaugh,  December 
28,  1887.  They  farmed  for  several  years,  but  Mr.  Mahaffey 
is  now  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business  in  Sandwich,  Illinois. 

Child: 

i.  William  B.  (4),  born  Aug.  22,  1890;  married  May  4, 
1915,  Bertha  Childs.  They  are  living  in  Aurora, 
111.,  where  Mr.  Mahaffey  is  engaged  in  the  real 
estate  and  insurance  business. 
Child: 

i.   Charles  Thomas  (5). 

196 


The  Mahaffey  Family 

MARTHA  IDELLETTE  (3)  MAHAFFEY,  born  Octo- 
ber 12,  1864,  at  Argyle,  New  York.  She  came  to  De  Kalb 
County  with  her  parents  when  a  child,  but  returned  to  East 
Greenwich,  Washington  County,  and  married  Eli  Matteson, 
on  December  28,  1899. 
Child: 

i.  Clarence  (4)  Matteson,  married  Etta  Chamberlin. 
Clarence  and  his  wife  Etta  live  with  Mrs.  Matte- 
son, in  Salem,  N.  Y. 

ROBERT  DAVID  (3)  MAHAFFEY,  born  November  2, 
1866,  near  Hinckley,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois;  married  No- 
vember 7,  1892,  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  Margaret  Malone. 
Robert  David  has  been  for  many  years  connected  with  the 
American  Well  Works,  Aurora,  Illinois,  and  is  now  vice- 
president  and  treasurer  of  this  company. 
Child: 

i.   Lois  Vivian,  who  lives  with  her  parents. 

JOHN  ANDREW  (3)  MAHAFFEY,  born  April  20,  1869, 
near  Hinckley,  Illinois;  married  Etta  McClymonds,  at  Kirk- 
wood,  Illinois.  He  is  pastor  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Stronghurst,  Illinois.  He  was  a  graduate  from  Monmouth 
College  and  from  Xenia  Theological  Seminary. 
Children: 

i.   Mary  Lois  (4),  married  Henry  Gilliland,  June,  1926. 
ii.  Frances. 
iii.  Jean. 

MARGARET    McCLELLAN    (3)    MAHAFFEY,    born 
June   30,    1871,   near  Hinckley,   Illinois;    married   May   27, 
1896,  James  A.  Watson,  at  Aurora,  Illinois,  where  they  now 
reside. 
Child: 

i.  Martha  Ruth  (4)  Watson,  married  C.  Frederick 
Toenniges,  a  musician  of  Detroit,  Mich. 

197 


Somonauk.  Church 

MARY  WINIFRED   (3)   MAHAFFEY,  born  September 
21,   1873,  near  Hinckley,  Illinois;   married  April   10,   1901, 
Bert  V.  Mead.  Mr.  Mead  died  about  1921,  at  Eagle  Grove, 
Iowa. 
Child: 

i.  Gordon   V.    (4)    Mead,   who   is   now   attending   the 

University  of  Illinois. 
WILLIAM  ARMSTRONG  (3)  MAHAFFEY,  born  July 
18,  1876;  died  August  5,  1908;  married  Elizabeth  Hillard, 
in  Aurora,  Illinois.  At  the  age  of  thirty-one  years  William 
Armstrong,  who  was  in  business  with  the  American  Well 
Works,  in  Aurora,  was  drowned. 
Child: 

i.  Chauncey   Elbert    (4)    married  in   September,    1925, 
Florence  Yates.  They  are  living  at  Ottumwa,  Iowa. 
GORDON  KENNEDY  (3)  MAHAFFEY,  born  Novem- 
ber 17,  1878;  died  April  24,  1879. 

John  Mahaffey,  after  his  marriage  in  1861,  engaged  in 
farming  in  Argyle,  Washington  County,  for  about  four  years. 
In  the  spring  of  1865  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Somon- 
auk, De  Kalb  County,  Illinois.  They  later  bought  a  farm  of 
eighty  acres  near  Hinckley.  On  their  arrival  at  Somonauk  they 
joined  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  by  certificate  of  good 
standing  from  their  church  in  Argyle,  New  York.  They  are 
buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

The  McKee  Family 

WILLIAM   (1)   McKEE  was  born  July  28,   1806;   died 

June  4,  1883;  married  first,  .  He  was  the  owner  of 

a  woolen  mill  in  Jefferson  County,  Ohio. 
Children: 

Joseph  (2).  *▼.  Sarah. 

Alexander.  v.  Samuel. 

Maria.  vi-  John- 


i. 
ii. 
iii. 


198 


The  Mercer  Family 

William  McKee  married  second,  Mary  Stewart  (6),  born 
at  Coitsville,  Ohio,  June  5,  1812;  died  June  16,  1878,  at 
her  home  in  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois.  Mary  Stewart  was  a 
sister  of  Elijah  (6)  Stewart,  who  was  for  vhirty-seven  years 
an  elder  of  the  Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church.  She 
had  cared  for  their  invalid  mother  until  her  death,  when  she 
married  William  McKee,  March  8,  1860.  They  resided  in 
Jefferson  County,  Ohio,  for  three  years  until  1863,  when  they 
moved  to  Victor  township,  De  Kalb  County,  where  they  had 
purchased  a  farm.  Mr.  McKee's  daughters  lived  with  the 
family  until  they  married,  and  were,  like  their  parents,  mem- 
bers of  the  Somonauk  church,  as  were  also  Joseph  and  Alex- 
ander until  they  returned  to  the  East  to  live.  Joseph  was  a 
volunteer  in  a  Pennsylvania  regiment  in  the  Civil  War  and 
was  wounded,  being  partially  crippled  for  life.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McKee  are  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

The  Mercer  Family 

DAVID  SMITH  (1)  MERCER,  born  in  Hockstown, 
Eeaver  County,  Pennsylvania,  May  12,  1827,  was  a  son  of 
Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Mercer  and  a  grandson  of 
Joseph  and  Comfort  (Nottingham)  Mercer;  married  Novem- 
ber 14,  1850,  Margaret  Thornberg,  a  daughter  of  James  and 
Nancy  (Veasey)  Thornberg;  born  in  Beaver  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, February  9,  1831;  died  in  November,  1888. 

Mr.  Mercer  was  a  farmer  and  he  and  his  wife  set  up  house- 
keeping in  Beaver  County,  Pennsylvania.  They  were  members 
of  the  Service  United  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  same  county. 
In  November,  1854,  they  were  visited  by  a  severe  stroke  of 
misfortune.  Returning  from  church  on  Sabbath  afternoon, 
they  found  that,  during  their  absence,  their  house  had  been 
reduced  to  ashes  by  a  fire  of  unknown  origin. 

The  next  year,  1855,  Mr.  Mercer  visited  Somonauk  and 
bought  eighty  acres  in  Clinton  township.  The  following  spring 

199 


Somonauk  Church 

he  brought  his  family  west  and  settled  on  this  land.  The  family 
united  with  the  Somonauk  church  and  in  1857  Mr.  Mercer 
was  elected  to  the  office  of  ruling  elder,  which  position  he  filled 
for  many  years.  He  also  held  many  township  offices  while  he 
lived  in  Clinton.  In  1892  he  removed  to  Sandwich,  where  he 
died,  July  1,  1903. 
Children: 

i.  Robert  James  (2),  born  1854. 
ii.  Joseph,  born  1856. 
iii.  Thomas,  born  1858. 
iv.  John,  born  1860. 
v.  Alvin,  born  1861. 
vi.  William  MorTett,  born  1863. 
vii.   Samuel  W.,  born  1865. 
viii.  Ida  B.,  born  1868. 
ix.  Jennie,  born  1870. 

ROBERT  JAMES  (2)  MERCER,  born  in  Beaver  County, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1854;  married  February  1,  1882,  Emma 
Heun.  They  have  one  son  and  three  daughters.  They  have  lived 
for  the  last  forty  years  in  Chicago,  Illinois. 

JOSEPH  (2)  MERCER,  born  in  1856;  died  October  10, 
1922;  married  in  1882,  Lina  Elinger,  at  Odebolt,  Iowa.  They 
had  one  child,  who  died  young.  He  married  second,  Sarah 
Landen,  who  died  September,  1922. 

THOMAS    (2)    MERCER,   born   in   Clinton   township   in 
1858;  married,  in  1882,  Ida  Hamlin.  He  was  for  many  years 
a  farmer,  but  now  resides  in  Sandwich,  where  he  was  post- 
master for  several  years. 
Children: 
i.  Iona  (3). 
ii.  Myrtle. 

200 


The  Mercer  Family 

JOHN    (2)    MERCER,   born   January   24,    1860.   He   is  a 
farmer  and  owns  the  homestead;    married,   in    1891,   Alice 
Fisher.  They  are  living  in  Waterman. 
Children: 

i.   Mildred  (3). 
ii.   Raymond, 
iii.   Mary. 

ALVIN  (2)   MERCER,  born  in   1861;   married,  in  1864, 
Rose  Didda,  at  Ida  Grove,  Iowa.  He  has  been  a  farmer  and 
an  engineer;  is  living  at  Berwyn,  Illinois. 
Children: 

i.   Howard  (3).  iv.   Glen, 

ii.  Ruth.  v.   Harold, 

iii.   Blanche.  vi.  Grace. 

WILLIAM  MOFFETT  (2)   MERCER,  born  in   1863; 
married  in   1884,  while  living  at  Franklin,   Nebraska,   Ella 
Lattin.  He  is  a  lawyer  and  is  living  in  Aurora,  Illinois. 
Children: 

i.   Maude  (3).  iv.   Mark, 

ii.  Ivan.  v.   Mona. 

iii.   Crystal.  vi.  Leona. 

SAMUEL  WALLACE  (2)  MERCER,  born  in  1865;  died 
in  1887. 

IDA  BELLE  (2)  MERCER,  born  in  1868;  married  Willis 
Tuttle.  They  are  living  in  California. 

JENNIE  (2)  MERCER,  born  in  1870;  married  James  E. 
Landen.  They  are  living  in  California. 


201 


Somonauk  Church 

The  Moffett  Family 

WILLIAM  TURNER  (2)  MOFFETT,  D.  D.,  born  at 
Bloomington,  Indiana,  July  27,  1837,  son  of  John  (1)  and 
Letitia  Strong  Moffett,  of  Chester  District,  South  Carolina; 
died  March  28,  1916,  married  first,  April  9,  1861,  Jennie 
Morrison  Robb,  of  Aledo,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Hugh  M. 
Robb;  died  February  13,  1869.  Mrs.  Moffett  was  a  graduate 
of  Monmouth  College  in  the  class  of  1859. 
Children: 

i.  Wallace  B.  (3),  deceased. 

ii.   Hugh  R.,  editor  Daily  Review  Atlas,  Monmouth,  111. 
iii.  William    P.,    lieutenant-colonel    United   States    Cav- 
alry, 
iv.  Helen  M.,  teacher  of  Latin,  high  school,  Winfield, 

Kan. 
v.  Jennie  R.,  county  nurse,  Xenia,  Ohio. 

Dr.  Moffett  married  second,  February  11,  1872,  Elizabeth 
Shepherd,  of  Xenia,  Ohio,  who  died  December  23,  1917. 

Graduated  from  the  Indiana  State  University  at  Blooming- 
ton,  1857,  and,  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity,  from 
Monmouth  U.  P.  Seminary  in  1861,  Dr.  Moffett  was  licensed 
by  the  Southern  Indiana  Presbytery,  April  8,   1860,  and  or- 
dained pastor  of  Somonauk  church,  his  first  charge,  April  3, 
1861,  succeeding  Rev.  R.  W.  French,  who  was  the  first  pastor 
of  Somonauk  church.  After  serving  this  church  for  seventeen 
years,  he  resigned  November  27,   1876.  Early  the  following 
year  he  became  pastor  at  Morning  Sun,  Iowa,  remaining  there 
until  called  to  be  the  stated  supply  at  Montrose,  Woonsocket 
and  Bonilla,  South  Dakota,  in  1883.  In  April,  1891,  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  College  Springs,  Iowa,  where  he  remained 
until  he  went  to  Arkansas  City,  Kansas,  in  1894.  After  sup- 
plying at  Big  Spring,  Tennessee,  he  retired  from  active  work 
on  account  of  failing  health,  making  his  home  at  Xenia,  Ohio, 
where  he  died.  It  has  been  well  said  of  him  that  "in  all  of 

202 


The  More  Family 

these  places  he  left  a  fragrant  memory."  He  was  moderator 
of  the  Illinois  Synod  in  1868,  of  the  Iowa  Synod  in  1882  and 
of  the  Kansas  Synod  in  1897.  For  many  years  he  was  widely 
known  in  the  temperance  movement. 

Dr.  MofTett  and  his  first  and  second  wives  are  buried  at 
Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

A  daughter  of  Major  William  P.  Moffett,  a  United  Pres- 
byterian missionary  in  China,  was  seriously  injured  when  the 
Chinese  Nationalist  Army  captured  Nankin  in  the  spring  of 
1927. 

The  More  Family 

JAMES  (1)  MORE,  born  July  20,  1815,  in  Washington 
County,  New  York;  died  April  27,  1858,  in  Victor  township, 
De  Kalb  County,  Illinois;  married  late  in  the  '30s  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Marie  P.  Thompson;  born  October  20,  1820; 
died  December  3,  1906,  near  Viola,  Kansas. 
Children: 

i.  Wallace  (2),  born  1840. 

ii.   Margaret  Jane,  born  July  24,   1842;   died  Nov.   12, 
1891;  married  Oct.  20,  1860,  James  R.  Graham. 
(See  page  140.) 
iii.  Joseph,  born  July  27,  1844;  died  in  June,  1876. 
iv.  Sara  Elizabeth,  born  July   14,    1846;    died  Oct.    11, 

1880;  married  E.  E.  Mitchell, 
v.  James  Irwin,  born  Jan.  30,  1849. 
They  came  to  Somonauk  in  the  spring  of  1850  and  united 
with  the  Associate  Church  early  the  same  year.  They  bought 
from  the  government  one  hundred  sixty  acres  in  Victor  town- 
ship and  built  a  cabin  on  it.  James  More  did  not  have  rugged 
health  and  died  in  1858  of  what  was  then  called  "consump- 
tion." Wallace  and  Joseph  carried  on  the  farm. 

WALLACE  (2)  MORE  enlisted  in  the  8th  Illinois  Cavalry 
in  September,  1861.  The  regiment  was  soon  sent  to  the  front 

203 


Somonauk  Church 

in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  After  five  months'  service  he 
was  discharged  on  account  of  failing  health.  After  some 
months  he  regained  his  health  and  in  the  summer  of  1862 
enlisted  in  Company  H,  105th  Illinois  Infantry.  He  took  part 
in  all  the  fighting  that  the  regiment  did.  At  the  battle  of  Golds- 
boro,  Sherman's  last  battle,  he  lost  his  right  arm.  This  was 
just  three  weeks  before  Lee  surrendered  to  Grant.  Coming 
home  in  June,  1865,  he  learned  to  write  with  his  left  hand, 
and  was  elected  county  clerk  at  the  next  election  after  his  dis- 
charge. He  married  and  had  one  child,  but  in  a  few  years  his 
health  failed  and  he  died  while  still  a  young  man. 
JAMES  IRWIN  (2)  MORE,  born  January  30,  1849;  died 
in  Viola,  Kansas,  February  2,  1927;  married  May  17,  1883, 
Jane  Dobbin,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children. 

The  Morrison  Family 

WILLIAM  (1)  MORRISON  was  born  in  Scotland  in  the 
latter  half  of  the  eighteenth  century,  where  he  married  Mar- 
garet Coventry  early  in  the  nineteenth  century. 

Children: 
i.  John  (2). 
ii.  Thomas. 
JOHN  (2)  MORRISON  was  born  in  1821,  and  about  1842 
came  with  a  brother  to  America  to  investigate  the  opportunities 
for  an  American  home.  They  chose  a  farm  near  Schenectady, 
New  York,  and  set  about  earning  money  to  help  bring  their 
parents  and  other  members  of  the   family  across  the  water. 
This  accomplished,  the  family  lived  near  Schenectady  for  sev- 
eral years,  and  there  John   (2)   married  Jane  McGue,  who 
was  of  Scotch  parentage  but  born  in  1820  in  the  state  of  New 
York.  The  name  "McGue"  is  a  corruption  of  McGeoch.  The 
following  incident  will  explain  the  change: 

A   McGeoch    family   came   to   America   and   settled   near 
Schenectady.  One  of  the  older  sons  enlisted  in  the  state  militia. 

204 


The  Morrison  Family 

In  registering  his  name  the  registrar  had  difficulty  in  spelling 
and  articulating  it;  finally  he  said,  "Oh,  yes,  McGue,"  and 
registered  it  that  way.  In  that  family  the  name  "McGue"  has 
been  retained  since,  though  they  are  of  the  same  blood  as  the 
McGeochs  of  Washington  County,  New  York. 

John  (2)  Morrison  and  his  wife  immigrated  to  Aurora, 
Illinois,  in  the  spring  of  1852  and  settled  near  the  C.  B.  &  Q. 
Railroad,  at  that  time  known  as  the  Aurora  Branch  Railroad 
Company.  They  lived  in  the  neighborhood  of  St.  Charles  for 
three  years,  but,  hearing  of  one  hundred  sixty  acres  of  unim- 
proved prairie  land  in  Victor  township,  De  Kalb  County,  that 
could  be  bought  reasonably,  Mr.  Morrison  investigated  and 
closed  the  deal.  There  they  lived  a  long  time  and  their  prosper- 
ity exceeded  their  expectations. 
Children: 

i.   Mary  Agnes  (3)  married  William  T.  Nelson. 
Child: 

i.   Marian  (4)  Nelson,  who  is  a  musician  of  much 
ability, 
ii.   William  John  married  Emma  Highby;    died  as  the 
result  of  an  accident,  Nov.  16,  1888,  aged  thirty- 
three  years. 
Children: 
i.  Ella  (4). 
ii.  John, 
iii.  Willa. 

THOMAS  (2)  MORRISON  secured  one  hundred  sixty 
acres  two  miles  south  of  John's.  Being  unmarried,  he  asked 
his  parents  to  come  and  make  their  home  with  him.  After  some 
years  Thomas'  health  failed,  and  he  died.  His  parents  then 
went  to  live  near  their  son  John,  where  they  died  in  the  spring 
of  1881.  The  two  families  were  received  into  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church  and  were  consitsent  members  to  the  end. 

205 


Somonauk  Church 

Mrs.  Jane  (McGue)  Morrison  died  January  31,  1888, 
aged  sixty-eight.  Not  long  after,  Mr.  Morrison  rented  the  farm 
to  his  son-in-law,  William  T.  Nelson,  and,  with  the  widow 
of  his  son  William,  removed  to  Waterman,  where  he  pur- 
chased a  house. 

They  transferred  their  church  membership  to  the  Water- 
man Presbyterian  Church,  where  for  some  years  they  regularly 
attended.  Mr.  Morrison  died  at  a  ripe  old  age.  His  children 
early  united  with  the  church.  These  families  are  all  buried  in 
Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

The  Orr  Family 

DAVID  (1)  ORR,  born  May  10,  1818;  died  at  Des  Moines, 
Iowa,  November  20,  1893;  married  in  Wayne  County,  Ohio, 
January  14,  1845,  Elizabeth,  a  daughter  of  John  (1)  and 
Margaret  Cook  McCleery;  born  March  7,  1817,  in  Wash- 
ington County,  New  York;  died  February  23,  1858,  in  Clin- 
ton township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois. 

They  removed  to  Somonauk,  Illinois,  in  1852,  bought  and 
lived  on  a  farm  in  Clinton  township,  where  Mrs.  Orr  died 
six  years  later.  On  arriving  at  Somonauk  they  united  with  the 
church  by  certificate. 
Children: 

i.  Mary  Ann  (2).  iv.  John  S. 

ii.  James  Doig.  v.  William. 

iii.  Ellen.  vi.  Smith. 

David  (1)  Orr  married  second,  Martha  Jane  McAffee; 
born  in  Ireland  in  1825;  died  at  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  in  May, 
1897.  He  and  both  wives  are  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

Children: 

i.  LeviR.  (2),  born  Dec.  3,  1860. 
ii.  Sarah  Jane,  born  Feb.  13,  1865. 
iii.   David,  born  Feb.  13,  1865. 

206 


The  Patten  Family 

Levi  (2)  and  David  (2)  engaged  in  the  implement  business 
in  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa.  David  (2)  Orr  was  originally  a  car- 
penter by  trade  and  also  a  farmer,  and  good  at  both.  He  was 
a  large,  jovial  man.  For  many  years  he  was  secured  by  other 
carpenters  in  the  community  for  manager  and  "Crier"  at 
barn-raisings;  he  had  a  good  voice  and  a  command  of  men. 

JAMES   DOIG   ORR    (2)    married   November   2,    1871, 
Philomelia  J.  (4)  Henry;  born  November  13,  1850.  Mr.  Orr 
died  December  21,   1874.  Mrs.  Orr  died  July  18,  1919,  at 
Viola,  Kansas. 
Children: 

i.  Mary  Ella,  born  Dec.  14,  1871. 
ii.  Minnie  J.,  born  May  22,  1873;  died  Aug.  2,  1886. 

SARAH   M.   ORR    (family  not  traced)    in    1896   married 
George  Beveridge  French  (8).  (See  page  122.) 

The  Patten  Family 

County  Essex  was  the  early  home  of  the  family  in  England, 
and  the  name  is  first  mentioned  in  1119,  when  Richard  Patten 
is  recorded  as  son  and  heir  of  Richard  Patten,  of  Patten  House, 
near  Clemsford  in  County  Essex. 

About  1490  several  families  of  Pattens  removed  from 
County  Essex,  England,  and  settled  in  Ayrshire,  the  early 
home  of  the  family  in  Scotland. 

Six  coats  of  arms  were  granted  to  different  branches  of  the 
Patten  family  in  England  and  Scotland.  Their  motto  is  "Nulla 
Palescere  Culpa" — "Never  made  Pale  with  Guilt." 

The  first  Patten  of  record  to  remove  to  Ireland  was  James, 
born  in  Scotland  about  1725,  whose  wife  was  a  sister  of  one 
of  the  ruling  elders  of  the  Reverend  Dr.  Thomas  Clark's 
church.  About  1750  James  settled  in  County  Monaghan.  True 
Orangemen,  the  Pattens,  as  long  as  they  remained  in  Ireland, 
took  pride  in  wearing  their  orange  scarfs  on  July  12. 

207 


Somonauk  Church 

WILLIAM  (1)  PATTEN,  the  first  of  the  name  of  whom 
we  have  definite  knowledge,  had  a  son  James,  born  in  Scot- 
land about  1725. 

JAMES  (2)  PATTEN,  born  in  Scotland  about  1725;  mar- 
ried there  about  1750,  Margaret  Hanna,  a  sister  of  David 
Hanna,  one  of  Dr.  Clark's  ruling  elders.  They  removed  soon 
after  their  marriage  to  County  Monaghan,  Ireland,  where  all 
of  their  children  were  born,  and  where  they  both  died.  Their 
residence  in  1756  was  Rack  Wallace,  Parish  of  Monaghan, 
County  Monaghan,  Ireland. 

Children: 

i.  William  (3),  born  November,  1752. 
ii.  Hannah,   baptized  Feb.   25,    1754,  by  Rev.  Thomas 

Clark,  M.  D. 
iii.  John,  baptized  May  24,  1756,  by  Rev.  Thomas  Clark, 

M.  D. 

iv.   Mary,  married  William  Bell, 
v.  James,  married  Rachel  Blakeley. 

Children: 

i.  William  (4). 
ii.   Robert,  served  in  the  English  army  and  died  in 

Afghanistan, 
iii.   John, 
iv.  James, 
v.   Mary,  married  David  Lemon. 

WILLIAM  (3)  PATTEN,  son  of  James  (2)  and  Margaret 
(Hanna)  Patten,  was  born  near  Stonebridge,  County  Mon- 
aghan, Ireland,  November,  1752,  and  died  in  the  home  of 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  John  Bishop,  in  Argyle,  New  York,  De- 
cember 12,  1841,  in  his  ninetieth  year.  He  married  in  Ireland, 
about  1780,  Martha  Nesbitt;  born  in  1752.  They  arrived  in 

208 


The  Patten  Family 

New  York,  June  24,  1794.  Immediately  upon  landing  they 
went  to  Salem,  New  York,  where  they  were  most  kindly 
received  by  Mrs.  Patten's  stepfather,  William  Guthrie.  But 
here  another  sorrow  awaited  them  (their  eldest  son  had  been 
drowned  on  the  voyage),  for  they  learned  that  Mrs.  Patten's 
mother  had  just  died. 

William  Patten  purchased  a  farm  one  and  a  half  miles 
from  Argyle.  Here  their  family  was  reared  and  here  Mrs. 
Patten  died  March  2,  1817.  Martha  Nesbitt  Patten  was  a  niece 
of  Elizabeth  Nesbitt,  wife  of  Rev.  Thomas  Clark,  M.  D., 
of  Salem,  New  York.  Their  children,  except  the  last,  were 
born  near  Stonebridge,  County  Monaghan,  Ireland.  A  note  on 
the  Clark  family  appears  in  the  Appendix. 
Children: 

i.  Margaret  (4),  born  about  1781;  died  in  Argyle, 
N.  Y.,  in  1806;  married  there,  in  1805,  John  (3) 
Sybrandt  [Sovereign  (2),  John  (1)  and  wife 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Governor  Rip  Van  Dam 
of  New  York],  who  was  one  of  the  heirs  of  the 
celebrated  Anneke  Jans, 
ii.  Robert,   born  in    1783;    was  drowned  while  on  the 

ocean  voyage  in  June,  1794. 
iii.  Mary,  born  July,  1789;  died  in  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  Dec. 
12,    1854;    married  there   Dec.    12,    1812,  John 
Bishop  (William  and  Elizabeth  McKallor). 
Child: 

i.  Eliza  (5)  Bishop,  who  married  Cornelius  Mc- 
Eachron,  of  Argyle. 
iv.  James,  born  July  4,  1793. 

v.  Elizabeth  Clark,  born  in  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  November, 
1800;  died  in  Washington,  Iowa,  Jan.  4,  1865; 
married  in  Argyle,  about  1824,  John  Firman 
Bain,  of  Argyle. 

209 


Somonauk  Church 

Children: 

i.  William  (5)  Bain.      iv.  Robert  Bain, 
ii.  Enoch  Bain.  v.  Henry  Lant  Bain. 

iii.  James  Bain. 

JAMES   (4)  PATTEN,  son  of  William  (3)  and  Martha 
(Nesbitt)   Patten,  was  born  near  Stonebridge,  County  Mon- 
aghan,  Ireland,  July  4,    1793;    died  in  Salem,  Washington 
County,  New  York,   December  21,    1827;    married  Mary, 
daughter  of  William  (3)  and  Mary  (Livingston)  Robertson, 
in  the  home  of  her  brother,  William  Robertson,  Jr.,  in  the 
village  of  East  Greenwich,  Washington  County,  New  York, 
April  18,  1816,  Rev.  Alexander  Bullions,  D.  D.,  performing 
the  ceremony.  Her  mother  dying  at  her  birth,  Mary  (2)  Rob- 
ertson, born  in  Argyle,  New  York,  August  7,  1793,  was  reared 
by  her  grandmother,  Eleanor  Livingston,  a  daughter  of  Alex- 
ander McNaughton;   died  in  the  home  of  her  son  William, 
near  Sandwich,  Illinois,  April  6,  1890,  in  her  ninety-seventh 
year.    (See  appendix  for  McNaughton  connections.)    At  her 
grandmother's  knee  Mary  Robertson  heard  the  tales  of  Bonny 
Prince  Charley,  for  Mrs.  Livingston  was  ten  years  of  age  at 
the  time  of  the  Rebellion  of  1745  and  had  vivid  recollections 
of  its  stirring  incidents. 

Children: 

i.  William  (5),  born  Jan.  21,  1817. 
ii.  Eleanor  Livingston,  born  in  Granville,  N.  Y.,  Dec. 
8,  1818;  died  in  her  mother's  home  in  the  township 
of  Greenwich,  Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  July 
1,  1835,  in  her  seventeenth  year, 
iii.  Robert,  born  April  13,  1820.  (See  page  219.) 
iv.  Alexander    Robertson,    born    Aug.    14,    1823.    (See 
page  221.) 

210 


Alexander  R.  Patten 
First  Member 


Mrs.    William   Patten,   First 

(Elizabeth  Nelson  Pratt) 

Charter  Member 


Mrs.  James  (4)  Patten 
(Mary  Robertson)  Charter  Member 


Mrs.  William  Patten,  Second 
(Jane  Somes) 


The  Patten  Family 

v.  Martha  Nesbitt,  born  on  her  father's  farm  in  the 
township  of  Greenwich,  Washington  County, 
N.  Y.;  came  to  Illinois  in  1844  with  her  mother 
and  brothers,  Robert  and  Alexander.  She  was  mar- 
ried in  the  home  of  her  brother,  Robert  Patten, 
Oct.  28,  1845,  to  Dr.  W.  M.  Sweetland,  of  New- 
ark, 111.  The  winters  after  her  marriage  were 
spent  in  Chicago,  where  her  husband  was  studying 
medicine  at  the  Rush  Medical  College.  Her  health 
failing,  six  weeks  before  her  death  she  was  taken 
to  the  home  of  her  brother,  Robert  Patten,  in 
Somonauk,  where  she  died  Mar.  21,  1847.  Dr. 
Sweetland,  the  son  of  Colonel  Bowen  and  Eliza- 
beth (Durkee)  Sweetland,  was  born  in  Dryden, 
N.  Y.,  Nov.  18,  1819;  died  in  Highland  Park,  111., 
Jan.  22,  1902.  He  was  at  one  time  mayor  of  High- 
land Park. 

In  1815  James  (4)  Patten  went  to  Kingston,  Ontario, 
where  he  worked  at  the  saddler's  trade.  From  there  he  wrote 
to  his  intended  in  July,  1815,  that  a  rumor  was  being  circu- 
lated that  Bonaparte  had  been  beaten  by  Wellington  in  Flan- 
ders. 

HON.  WILLIAM  (5)  PATTEN,  born  in  the  village  of 
East  Greenwich,  township  of  Greenwich,  Washington 
County,  New  York,  January  21,  1817;  died  while  on  a  visit 
at  the  home  of  his  son  Edward,  in  Yuma,  Colorado,  February 
1,  1897,  aged  eighty  years. 

William  was  not  quite  twelve  years  of  age  when  his  father, 
James  (4),  died,  and  until  1843,  except  four  years  in  the  store 
with  his  Uncle  Moses  Robertson  in  East  Greenwich,  his  home 
was  with  his  mother  on  a  farm  in  Greenwich,  New  York.  De- 
ciding to  go  west  that  year,  he  made  the  home  of  George  Bev- 
eridge,  in  Somonauk,  Illinois,  his  objective,  arriving  there  on 
May  17,  1843. 

211 


Somonauk  Church 

That  summer  he  worked  in  the  harvest  field  and  assisted  in 
building  a  barn  for  Mr.  Devine.  Having  determined  to  make 
his  future  home  in  this  vicinity,  he  returned  to  Washington 
County  that  fall  and  on  October  11,  1843,  married  his  first 
wife,  Elizabeth  Nelson  Pratt;  born  in  the  village  of  Cossayuna, 
township  of  Greenwich,  Washington  County,  December  8, 
1819.  Mrs.  Patten  died  in  her  home  three  miles  north  of 
Sandwich,  Illinois,  January  8,  1856. 

Mrs.  Patten  came  of  several  Revolutionary  stocks,  being  the 
daughter  of  Simon  Newcomb  Pratt  and  his  wife,  Deborah 
Isabel,  daughter  of  Joseph  Nelson,  Jr.  (Joseph,  Sr.,  and  wife 
Isabel  Rogers),  and  wife  Mary,  daughter  of  Lieutenant 
Daniel  McCleary  and  wife  Elizabeth  Savage,  the  latter  a 
daughter  of  Captain  John  and  Eleanor  (Hamilton)  Savage, 
of  Salem,  New  York. 

Mrs.  Patten  was  the  ninth  in  descent  from  Joshua  Pratt, 
who  came  from  England  to  New  England  in  the  ship  Ann  in 
1623.  Joshua  Pratt  was  one  of  the  surveyors  who  laid  out  the 
village  of  Plymouth,  Massachusetts,  receiving  as  compensation 
for  his  work  one  peck  of  corn  a  day.  Her  great-grandmother, 
Isabel  (Rogers)  Nelson,  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  the  Rever- 
end John  Rogers,  the  martyr,  who  was  burned  at  the  stake  at 
Smithfield,  England,  February  4,  1555,  the  first  Protestant 
martyr  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Mary  of  England.  Her  brother 
was  the  Reverend  John  Rogers  who  in  1767  succeeded  the  Rev- 
erend Thomas  Clark  as  pastor  of  his  church  at  Cahans,  near 
Ballibay,  County  Monaghan,  Ireland,  and  was  pastor  of  the 
church  for  nearly  fifty  years. 

Soon  after  his  marriage  William  (5)  Patten  returned  to 
Illinois  to  prepare  a  home  for  his  bride  and  widowed  mother. 
The  following  spring,  1844,  his  wife  and  mother,  his  sister 
Martha  and  two  brothers  came  west.  The  latter  lived  on  a  farm 
rented  from  James  Scott,  about  three  miles  east  of  their  own 
land  in  Little  Rock. 

212 


The  Patten  Family 

The  following  autumn  Mr.  Patten  completed  his  house, 
which  was  three  miles  north  of  the  site  on  which  Newark  Sta- 
tion (now  Sandwich)  was  later  located.  It  was  built  of  three- 
inch  plank,  sawn  at  Sterritt's  mill  on  Somonauk  Creek,  on  the 
farm  later  owned  by  S.  D.  Coleman.  The  shingles  were  rived 
out  of  the  butt  ends  of  white  oak  logs,  two  days'  work  being 
given  for  one  to  pay  for  cutting  them.  The  house  was  twenty 
feet  square  and  had  twelve-foot  posts,  with  plank  dovetailed 
at  the  corners.  It  had  rooms  on  the  story  above,  and  still 
exists  as  part  of  an  outbuilding.  On  January  1,  1845,  the  young 
couple  moved  into  their  new  home. 

By  virtue  of  his  sound  principles  and  ability  Mr.  Patten  was 
influential  in  the  community.  He  stood  for  clean  politics  in  his 
county  and  state  and  he  took  a  prominent  part  in  public  affairs. 
A  leader  in  securing  the  location  of  Newark  Station,  he  and 
his  associates  stuck  to  their  conviction  that  the  location  was  a 
promising  one,  and  succeeded  in  convincing  the  railroad  com- 
pany of  that  fact.  The  thriving  city  of  Sandwich  has  long 
been  a  standing  proof  of  their  clear  foresight. 

In  1 856  Mr.  Patten,  being  on  the  board  of  supervisors,  voted 
for  an  appropriation  of  $5,000  to  build  the  first  jail  in  the 
county.  Petty  criminals  had  been  allowed  and  even  encouraged 
to  escape  for  want  of  a  place  to  keep  them.  Those  guilty  of 
greater  crimes  were  taken  care  of  by  the  sheriff  or  his  deputy, 
who  was  compelled  to  have  the  prisoner  padlocked  to  his  arm  for 
safe-keeping.  In  spite  of  this  state  of  affairs  there  was  strong 
opposition  to  the  appropriation.  The  jail,  however,  was  built. 

Elected  five  times  supervisor  of  Somonauk  township,  Mr. 
Patten  served  two  terms  in  the  Illinois  House  of  Representa- 
tives, 1854,  1855,  1858  and  1859.  He  was  elected  state  senator 
for  one  term,  1866  to  1870.  A  member  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives at  the  time  of  the  Lincoln-Douglas  contest  for  the 
office  of  United  States  senator,  he  voted  for  Lincoln. 

Mr.  Patten  was  one  of  the  first  two  ruling  elders  elected  in 

213 


Somonauk  Church 

the  Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church  he  had  helped  to 
plant  in  the  early  '40s,  and  he  served  in  that  capacity  for  forty 
years,  until  he  moved  from  the  town. 

In  the  dark  days  of  the  Civil  War  Mr.  Patten  was  in  the 
van  in  recruiting  volunteers  for  the  army.  At  President  Lin- 
coln's call  for  volunteers  he  helped  recruit  the  first  company 
from  Sandwich,  Illinois,  accompanying  the  boys  as  far  as 
Cairo,  Illinois,  where  they  were  the  second  company  to  arrive. 
At  the  stations  along  the  way  they  were  cheered  long  and  loud 
until  Centralia  was  passed,  after  which  there  was  less  enthusi- 
asm. Near  Cairo,  however,  one  lone  old  man  came  running 
down  a  hill  waving  the  stars  and  stripes  and  cheering  with  all 
his  might.  In  response,  the  boys  nearly  raised  the  car  roofs 
cheering  him  and  his  flag. 

Mr.  Patten  recruited  other  companies  of  volunteers  and 
went  to  the  front  as  captain  of  Company  H,  156th  Illinois  Vol- 
unteers, in  response  to  President  Lincoln's  last  call  in  the  winter 
of  1865,  though  past  forty-five  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Patten  was  not  only  a  progressive  in  his  efforts  to  pro- 
mote the  welfare  of  the  community,  but  also  was  one  in  his 
vocation  as  a  farmer.  It  is  said  that  he  bought  and  erected  the 
first  windmill  in  De  Kalb  County.  It  was  the  Halliday,  made 
in  Batavia,  Illinois.  The  investment  saved  him  several  hours 
each  day,  pumping  water  by  hand  to  water  a  large  stock.  He 
was  also  the  first  man  in  Somonauk  township  to  utilize  drain 
tile  for  improving  his  farm  land.  When  he  got  his  five  hundred 
acre  farm  drained  to  suit  him  he  had  under  its  surface  a  net- 
work of  six  miles  of  tiling. 

Children: 

i.  James  Miller,  (6),  born  Apr.  16,  1845;  died  Sept.  29, 

1849. 
ii.  Simon  Newcomb,  born  May  3,  1847;  died  May  22, 

1848. 
iii.   Edward  Moses,  born  Aug.  6,  1849. 

214 


The  Patten  Family 

iv.  Dr.  Simon  Nelson,  born  May  1,  1852;  died  July 
24,  1922. 

v.  Jennie  M.,  born  Nov.  27,  1854;  unmarried;  lives 
with  her  brother  Edward  near  Yuma,  Colo.  For 
years  she  has  taken  a  deep  interest  in  family  his- 
tory and  genealogy. 

EDWARD  MOSES  (6)  PATTEN,  born  near  Sandwich, 
Illinois,  August  6,  1849;  married  there  January  22,  1879, 
Harriet  Jane,  daughter  of  David  and  Sarah  Knights  Mar- 
selus,  who  was  seventh  in  descent  from  Jan  Marselus,  one  of 
the  earliest  settlers  in  Albany,  New  York.  Their  children  were 
born  near  Collins,  Iowa. 
Children: 

i.  William  David  (7),  born  Nov.  18,  1879;  died  Nov. 

20,  1879. 
ii.   Mary  Louise,   born  Apr.   6,    1881;    died   in   Denver, 

Colo.,  July  6,  1901. 
iii.   Sarah  Elizabeth,  born  Mar.  31,  1883;  unmarried, 
iv.  Ethel  Abigail,  born  May  7,   1885;   married  in  Sand- 
wich,  111.,   Apr.    14,    1906,   Clare   Everett   Lett, 
whose  Revolutionary  ancestors  were  Jacob  Reiser, 
of    Berks    County,    Pennsylvania,    and    William 
Nichols,  of  Sutton,  Mass. 
Children: 

i.   Helen  Virginia  (8)  Lett,  born  Sept.  16,  1907. 
ii.   Charles  Patten  Lett,  born  Mar.  16,  1910. 
iii.  Phoebe  Elizabeth  Lett,  born  Dec.  7,  1911. 
iv.   Harriet  Louise  Lett,  born  Apr.  6,  1914. 
v.  Clarabelle  Jean  Lett,  born  Aug.  12,  1920. 
v.  Albert  Edward  (7),  born  June  19,  1887;  married  at 
Sandwich,  111.,  Apr.  11,  1917,  Laura  Lesley  Cook, 
of  Chicago,  111. 

215 


Somonauk  Church 

vi.  Grace  Jane,  born  Apr.  17,  1890;  married  near  Sand- 
wich, 111.,  Sept.  17,  1913,  Albert  Nelson  Boyd. 
Child: 

i.  Annette  Jane   (8)   Boyd,  born  near  Sandwich, 
111.,  Sept.  3,  1917. 

SIMON  NELSON  (6)  PATTEN,  fourth  son  of  Hon.  Wil- 
liam and  Elizabeth  N.  (Pratt)  Patten,  was  born  May  1,  1852, 
near  Sandwich,  Illinois;  died  July  24,  1922,  at  Brown's  Mills, 
In-the-Pines,  New  Jersey. 

Dr.  Patten  began  his  education,  as  many  a  great  scholar  has 
done,  in  a  little  country  schoolhouse,  at  an  early  age  working 
on  the  farm  through  the  farming  season  and  attending  school 
during  the  winter  term.  Graduated  from  Jenning's  Seminary, 
Aurora,  Illinois,  in  June,  1873,  he  helped  his  father  on  the 
farm  until  September,  1875,  when  he  entered  the  freshman 
class  at  Northwestern  University,  Evanston,  Illinois.  Soon 
after,  however,  he  decided  to  go  to  the  University  at  Halle, 
Germany,  following  his  friend  Edmond  J.  James,  who  after- 
wards was  president  of  Northwestern  University  and  later  of 
the  University  of  Illinois. 

Dr.  Patten  graduated  from  the  University  of  Halle  with 
high  commendation  from  his  professor  in  political  economy, 
and  returned  to  America  in  December,  1878,  after  an  absence 
of  three  years.  In  September,  1879,  he  entered  Northwestern 
University  Law  School.  He  had  been  there  only  about  two 
months  when  he  was  obliged  to  give  up  his  work  on  account 
of  failing  eyesight,  and  for  three  years  was  unable  to  do  liter- 
ary work.  During  this  time  he  worked  on  his  father's  farm, 
but  thought  much  of  the  theme  in  which  he  was  so  deeply 
interested — political  economy.  In  1882  he  consulted  an  able 
oculist  in  Philadelphia  and  was  enabled  to  resume  his  studies 
and  write  his  first  book,  "The  Premises  of  Political  Economy." 

After  1882  he  taught  for  several  years  in  Homewood,  Illi- 
nois, and  later  was  superintendent  of  the  schools  of  Rhodes, 

216 


The  Patten  Family 

Iowa,  for  a  year.  By  this  time  his  book  had  won  for  him  the 
reputation  of  a  deep  thinker  and  a  master  in  the  field  of  polit- 
ical economy.  With  this  book  to  his  credit,  and  the  recommen- 
dation of  Dr.  Edmond  J.  James,  he  secured  the  chair  of  Polit- 
ical Economy  in  the  Wharton  School  of  Finance  and  Com- 
merce in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Patten  taught 
continuously  in  this  great  institution  for  twenty-nine  years, 
when  he  reached  the  age  of  sixty-five  years,  the  age  of  retire- 
ment fixed  by  the  university.  His  length  of  service  entitled  him 
to  a  Carnegie  pension  for  university  professors.  Dr.  Patten 
assisted  financially  many  young  men  who  could  not  otherwise 
have  finished  their  courses.  Dr.  Edmond  J.  James  said  of  him, 
"Professor  Simon  Nelson  Patten  was  a  prince  of  a  teacher  and 
a  father  to  the  boys." 

Dr.  Patten  wrote  a  number  of  books  on  political  economy  and 
kindred  subjects,  which  were  used  in  schools  as  text-books,  also 
numerous  articles  which  he  contributed  to  economic  and  scien- 
tific magazines.  After  his  retirement  from  the  university  in 
May,  1917,  he  continued  to  live  in  Philadelphia  and  devoted 
his  time  to  literary  work  as  long  as  his  health  permitted.  "The 
Development  of  English  Thought,"  "The  Theory  of  Pros- 
perity," "Heredity  and  Social  Progress,"  and  the  "Economic 
Basis  of  Protection"  are  some  of  his  other  works. 

During  1908  and  1909  Professor  Patten  was  president  of 
the  National  Educational  Association.  He  attended  the  Eco- 
nomic Conference  at  Washington  at  the  invitation  of  President 
Roosevelt. 

Simon  Nelson  Patten  married  Charlotte  Kimball,  daughter 
of  Solon  Dexter  and  Jennie  (Green)  Kimball,  in  Canton, 
New  York,  September  2,  1903;  she  was  born  September  2, 
1873,  in  Adams,  Jefferson  County,  New  York. 

William  (5)  Patten  married  second,  August  12,  1856,  Miss 
Jane  Somes,  born  in  Argyle,  New  York,  April  17,1 829  j  died 
in  Oklahoma,  August  21,  1911.  Mrs.  Patten  was  a  daughter 

217 


Somonauk  Church 

of  Jonas  and  Lois  (Hanks)  Somes  and  a  granddaughter  of 
Timothy  and  Anna  (Andrus)  Somes,  all  of  Argyle,  New 
York.  Her  portrait  faces  page  210. 

Children: 

i.   Charles  J.  (6),  born  Sept.  7,  1857. 
ii.  Anna  Mary,  born  July  17,  1860. 
iii.  Alexander  Robertson,  born  July  18,  1864. 
iv.   William  Somes,  born  May  21,  1869. 
v.  Frederick  Livingston,  born  July  20,  1872. 

The  Revolutionary  ancestor  of  Mrs.  Jane  Somes  Patten 
was  Sergeant  John  Hanks,  who  was  among  the  men  from 
Connecticut  towns  who  marched  for  the  relief  of  Boston  in 
the  Lexington  Alarm  in  April,  1775.  He  served  in  General 
Israel  Putnam's  regiment  and  was  in  action  at  the  Battle  of 
Bunker  Hill.  Later,  he  served  in  Canada  under  General  Ben- 
edict Arnold. 

William  (5)  Patten  died  at  Yuma,  Colorado,  February  1, 
1897,  while  on  a  visit  with  his  son  Edward  and  daughter  Jen- 
nie, having  just  passed  his  eightieth  birthday.  He  was  brought 
to  Somonauk  for  burial.  Dr.  G.  H.  Robertson,  of  Sandwich, 
Illinois,  conducted  the  service  in  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  attended  by  devoted  friends  and  relatives.  He  is  buried 
at  Oak  Mound  Cemetery,  near  his  home  church  in  the  family 
lot  where  his  wife  and  other  members  of  the  family  lie,  and 
where  the  good  he  accomplished  keeps  fresh  his  memory. 

CHARLES  J.  (6)  PATTEN,  born  September  7,  1857;  mar- 
ried first,  in  West  Alden,  New  York,  March  28,  1884,  Harriet 
Clare  Field,  daughter  of  Oliver  and  Harriet  (Coleman) 
Field;  married  second,  September  29,  1925,  Mrs.  Phoebe 
Nichols  Lett,  daughter  of  Alonzo  and  Hannah  (Moyer) 
Nichols. 

ANNA  MARY  (6)  PATTEN,  born  July  17,  1860;  died 
in  Edmond,  Oklahoma,  March  14,  1910;  married  in  the  home 

218 


Robert  (5)  Patten 
First  Member 


Mrs.  Robert  Fatten 
(Catherine  Sibley) 


Sarah  French 
Charter  Member 


Charles  /.,   Anna  M.   and 
Jennie  M.  Fatten 


The  Patten  Family 

of  her  brother,  Charles  J.  Patten,  in  Sandwich,  Illinois,  August 
3,  1905,  Charles  Gilbert  McDougall,  of  Chicago,  Illinois. 

ALEXANDER  ROBERTSON  (6)  PATTEN,  born  July 
18,  1864;  lives  in  Edmond,  Oklahoma. 

WILLIAM  SOMES  (6)  PATTEN,  born  May  21,  1869; 
married  in  Edmond,  Oklahoma,  April  6,  1898,  Erma  May, 
daughter  of  Addison  A.  and  Adeline  (Harreld)  Howard.  Mr. 
Patten  has  been  for  twenty-five  years  president  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Edmond,  Oklahoma. 
Children: 

i.  William  Howard  (7),  born  Dec.  20,  1898. 
ii.  Charles  Harold,  born  Aug.   21,   1908.  A  student  at 
Leland  Stanford  University. 

WILLIAM  HOWARD  (7)  PATTEN,  born  December  20, 
1898;  married  in  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  September  6,   1924, 
Mildred  Eaton  Simpson.  Their  home  is  in  Edmond,  Okla- 
homa, where  he  is  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank. 
Children: 

i.  William  Robert  (8),  born  July  26,  1925. 
ii.  John  Howard,  born  Sept.  20,  1926. 

FREDERICK  LIVINGSTON  (6)  PATTEN,  born  July 
20,  1872;  married  first,  at  Collins,  Iowa,  September  13,  1899, 
Clara  May  McNew;  married  second,  in  Kingfisher,  Okla- 
homa, November  27,  1912,  Grace  Cooper. 

ROBERT  (5)  PATTEN,  son  of  James  (4)  and  Mary 
(Robertson)  Patten,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Granville, 
Washington  County,  New  York,  April  13,  1820.  His  father 
having  died  in  1827,  Robert,  in  1838,  at  the  age  of  eighteen, 
went  to  Bennington,  Vermont,  where  he  lived  for  six  years* 
There,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  Mr.  Patten  was  chosen  cap- 

219 


Somonauk  Church 

tain  of  a  company  of  Vermont  militia.  That  year,  1841,  a 
general  muster  of  the  state  militia  was  held  at  an  encampment 
at  Bennington,  and  Robert  Patten  was  awarded  a  first  prize 
for  the  best-drilled  company  in  the  state  of  Vermont.  In  April, 
1861,  he  helped  to  recruit  and  drilled  the  first  company  of 
Civil  War  volunteers  raised  in  Sandwich,  Illinois,  but  was 
prevented  by  ill  health  from  going  to  the  front  as  its  captain. 

In  May,  1844,  Robert  Patten  with  his  mother,  sister  Martha 
N.,  and  brother  Alexander  R.  came  west  to  settle  in  Somonauk. 
After  one  year  he  returned  to  Bennington  and  on  March  4, 
1846,  married  Catherine  Sibley,  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Lovica  (Clinch)  Sibley.  Soon  after  his  marriage  he  returned 
with  his  young  bride  to  Somonauk  and  settled  on  his  farm 
adjoining  that  of  his  brother  William,  on  the  north,  where  he 
made  his  home  until  April,  1854,  when  he  removed  with  his 
family  to  Sandwich,  Illinois,  to  begin  a  business  career. 

Mr.  Patten  built  and  owned  the  first  dwelling  house  in 
Sandwich  after  the  railroad  was  constructed  through  that  point. 
This  house  still  stands  and  is  part  of  the  Methodist  manse. 
He  was  the  first  station  agent,  serving  for  two  years,  and  was 
postmaster  for  several  years.  He  started  and  owned  the  first 
lumber  yard,  George  Culver  later  becoming  a  partner.  Mr. 
Patten  also  built  and  owned  the  first  grain  elevator  and  grist 
mill. 

About  1856  a  Presbyterian  church  was  organized,  and  Rob- 
ert Patten  took  his  certificate  from  the  Somonauk  Church, 
seven  miles  to  the  northwest,  with  which  he  had  united  March, 
1847.  Entering  with  zeal  into  the  activities  and  building  up 
of  the  Sandwich  church,  he  was  early  made  a  ruling  elder,  and 
continued  in  the  office  until  he  removed  to  Hillsdale,  Kansas, 
in  1870,  where  he  died,  June  1,  1876. 

Children: 

i.   Mary   Catherine    (6),   born   Dec.   6,    1846;    married 
Owen  Lindsay  Post,  Aug.  13,  1867. 

220 


The  Patten  Family 

ii.  Helen  Martha,  born  Dec.  29,    1 849;    married  John 

Melvin  Mannen,  Mar.  12,  1884. 
iii.  Alice  Lovica,  born  May   14,   1853;   married  Robert 

Dale  Protzman,  Sept.  29,  1875. 
iv.  Gilbert  Robertson,  born  June  9,  1857;  died  April  1, 

1858. 
v.  Julia  Frances,  born  Feb.  5,  1859;  died  Dec.  28,  1863. 

ALEXANDER  ROBERTSON  (5)  PATTEN,  the  young- 
est son  of  James  (4),  was  born  on  his  father's  farm  near  East 
Greenwich,  Washington  County,  New  York,  August  14, 
1823.  His  father  died  in  Salem,  Washington  County,  when 
this  son  was  but  four  years  old,  and  the  mother  with  her  family 
moved  back  on  the  old  East  Greenwich  farm,  which  was  the 
family  home  until  they  removed  to  Illinois  in  1844.  Mr.  Pat- 
ten attended  the  district  school  and  later,  with  his  sister,  the 
academy  in  Argyle,  New  York. 

In  May,  1844,  with  his  mother,  sister  Martha  and  brother 
Robert,  he  came  to  Somonauk  to  seek  and  make  a  future  home. 
That  year  the  three  brothers,  William,  Robert  and  Alexander, 
rented  a  farm  from  Mr.  James  Scott  near  Little  Rock.  On  it 
they  raised  a  crop  of  spring  wheat  and  harvested  it  with  the 
heavy  cradle  scythe.  About  1848,  Alexander  R.  Patten  and 
James  H.  Beveridge  (afterwards  brothers-in-law)  opened  a 
general  store  at  Somonauk  Corners,  one  and  a  half  miles  east 
of  the  church,  at  the  crossing  of  the  Galena  stage  road  and 
the  state  road  running  from  Ottawa  and  Sycamore.  They  con- 
tinued in  business  at  the  Corners  until  the  railroad  opened  in 
the  spring  of  1854,  when  they  moved  to  Sandwich,  where 
Alexander  Patten  built  and  opened  the  first  store  in  the  new 
town. 

February  18,  1851,  Alexander  R.  (5)  Patten  married 
Agnes  Beveridge,  the  eighth  child  of  George  and  Ann  (Hoy) 
Beveridge.  She  was  born  at  Greenwich,  Washington  County, 

221 


Somonauk  Church 

New  York,  June  17,  1829,  and  came  to  Illinois  with  her 
parents  in  1842,  when  thirteen  years  of  age. 

On  the  removal  of  the  family  to  Sandwich  a  new  house  was 
built  an  the  northwest  corner  of  Main  and  Third  streets,  in 
which  the  three  younger  sons  were  born.  Mr.  Patten  soon  be- 
came one  of  the  prominent  business  men  of  the  thriving  little 
town.  In  the  midst  of  his  prosperity  his  store,  which  was  a 
wooden  structure,  burned  to  the  ground.  Nothing  daunted,  he 
at  once  replaced  it  with  a  substantial  brick  building.  This  build- 
ing is  owned  at  the  present  time  by  his  son,  Henry  J.  Patten, 
and  has  been  occupied  by  a  drug  store  for  over  sixty  years. 

In  1857  Daniel  Seymour,  then  auditor  for  the  C.  B.  &  Q. 
Railroad,  visited  Sandwich  and  became  acquainted  with  Alex- 
ander Patten.  This  incident  is  interesting  from  the  fact  that 
nearly  sixty  years  later  his  grandson  Leslie  Wheeler  married 
Violet  Patten,  Alexander  Patten's  granddaughter. 

Mr.  Patten,  deeply  interested  in  the  community's  welfare, 
was  always  ready  to  contribute  liberally  in  money  or  time  for 
that  purpose.  He  was  a  man  possessed  of  uncommon  business 
ability,  and  gave  by  inheritance  liberally  of  that  quality  to  his 
sons. 

Mr.  Patten  united  by  profession  with  the  church  at  Somon- 
auk, March  28,  1847,  where  he  continued  a  faithful  member 
until  he  died,  June  23,  1863,  at  his  home  in  Sandwich,  just 
two  months  before  reaching  forty  years  of  age.  In  his  short 
business  career  he  accumulated  a  property,  the  income  of  which 
enabled  his  widow  to  give  her  children  a  good  education.  The 
youngest  child  was  less  than  one  year  old  when  his  father  died. 

Mrs.  Patten  remained  in  Sandwich  until  the  death  of  her 
mother  in  1865,  when  she  went  to  live  on  the  old  Beveridge 
homestead  farm  in  order  to  care  for  her  aged  father.  She  re- 
mained on  the  farm  until  1874,  when  she  returned  to  the 
family  home  in  Sandwich.  In  the  last  years  of  her  life  she 
made  her  home  with  her  son,  James  A.  Patten,  on  Ridge  ave- 

222 


The  Patten  Family 

nue,  Evanston,  Illinois,  where  she  died  July  9,  1909,  having 
just  passed  her  eightieth  birthday.  She  was  a  woman  of  beau- 
tiful character  and  unusual  ability. 
Children: 

i.  James  A.  (6),  born  May  8,  1852. 
ii.  George  W.,  born  Feb.  7,  1854. 
iii.  William  L.,  born  Oct.  28,  1856. 
iv.  Thomas  Beveridge,  born  Apr.  30,  1859. 
v.  Henry  J.,  born  June  30,  1862. 

JAMES  A.  (6)  PATTEN,  born  May  8,  1852,  at  Somonauk, 
Illinois;  graduated  from  the  academy  of  Northwestern  Uni- 
versity in  1869,  with  the  expectation  of  entering  the  univer- 
sity. For  many  years  he  has  been  in  the  grain  business  on  the 
Chicago  Board  of  Trade.  He  lives  in  Evanston,  Illinois,  which 
city  he  served  as  mayor  in  1901-3.  He  married,  April  9,  1885, 
Amanda  Buchanan,  of  Chicago,  a  daughter  of  James  and 
Sophronia  Foster  (Ballou)  Buchanan,  born  December  20, 
1858,  at  Cumberland,  Ohio. 
Children: 

i.  Agnes  (7),  born  Sept.  3,  1891,  in  Chicago, 
ii.  Thomas  Beveridge,  born  July  23,  1893,  in  Chicago; 

deceased, 
iii.  John  Lourie,  born  Feb.  19,  1896,  in  Chicago. 

GEORGE  W.  (6)  PATTEN,  born  February  7,  1854,  at 
Somonauk,  Illinois;  was  a  graduate  of  Monmouth  College,  in 
the  class  of  1876.  He  taught  one  year  in  the  Sandwich  High 
School  and  later  entered  partnership  with  his  brother  James 
on  the  Chicago  Board  of  Trade.  He  lived  for  many  years  in 
Evanston,  Illinois,  where  he  died,  September  30,  1910. 

WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON  (6)  PATTEN,  born  at  Sand- 
wich, Illinois,  October  28,  1856;  died  May  20,  1860. 

223 


Somonauk  Church 

THOMAS  BEVERIDGE  (6)  PATTEN,  born  April  30, 
1859;  died  October  19,  1883,  in  his  twenty-fifth  year.  He 
was  a  young  man  of  much  promise.  He  attended  Monmouth 
College  one  year  and  in  the  spring  of  1880  he  entered  the 
office  of  Beveridge  &  Dewey,  the  former  his  uncle,  ex-Gov- 
ernor John  L.  Beveridge.  Because  of  his  fine  abilities  and  trust- 
worthiness the  firm  sent  him  to  New  York  City  to  establish  a 
branch  house  there.  Becoming  ill  with  a  recurrence  of  inflam- 
matory rheumatism,  he  was  taken  to  the  home  of  his  uncle,  the 
Reverend  Andrew  Beveridge,  in  Lansingburg,  New  York, 
where  his  mother  was  visiting  at  the  time,  and  died  there 
shortly  afterward.  He  was  brought  to  Somonauk  and  buried 
in  the  family  lot  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

HENRY  J.  (6)  PATTEN,  born  June  30,  1862,  in  Somon- 
auk, Illinois;  graduated  from  Cornell  University  in  the  class 
of  1884;  married,  December  18,  1893,  at  Pasadena,  Cali- 
fornia, Emma  Therese  Herpin,  daughter  of  Auguste  and  Laure 
(Martin)  Herpin,  of  Jordoigne,  Belgium.  Mr.  Patten  has  been 
in  the  grain  business  with  his  brothers  for  many  years. 
Child: 

i.  Rhoda  Violet   (7),  married  Leslie  Wheeler,  son  of 
Charles      Pinckney      and      Martha      (Seymour) 
Wheeler,  of  Evanston,  111.,  Jan.  15,  1916. 
Children: 
i.  Leslie  (8)  Wheeler,  born  Sept.  17,  1917. 
ii.  Henry  Patten  Wheeler,  born  Dec.  18,  1919. 

The  Randies  Family 

ANDREW  (1)  RANDLES  and  family  came  from  County 
Monaghan,  Ireland,  prior  to  the  War  of  the  Revolution  and 
settled  in  Hebron,  Washington  County,  New  York.  He  mar- 
ried in  Ireland,  about  1756,  Phoebe,  daughter  of  Andrew  and 
Phoebe  (Strane)  Todd. 

224 


James  A.   Patten,  Aged   19  George  W .  Patten,  Aged  21 


Thomas  B.  Patten,  Aged  14  Henry  J.  Patten,  Aged  U 


The  Randles  Family 

Children: 

i.  Hugh  (2),  born  1759. 
ii.  John,  married  Sarah  Foster, 
iii.  Andrew,  not  traced. 

iv.  William,  head  of  a  family  in  Hebron  in  1790. 
v.   Martha,  married  James  Foster, 
vi.   Elizabeth,  married  William  Hutchens. 
vii.   Phoebe,    married   Alexander    Coulter   of    Cambridge, 
N.  Y. 

HUGH  (2)  RANDLES,  born  in  County  Monaghan,  Ire- 
land, in  1759;  died  in  Hebron,  N.  Y.,  in  1825;  married  there, 
Jane,  daughter  of  Alexander  McClellan. 

Children: 

i.   Hugh (3),  married  Elizabeth  Livingston, 
ii.   Alexander,  married  Mary  Ann  Louden, 
iii.  William,  married  Nancy  Guthrie, 
iv.  Andrew,  married  Elizabeth  Barkeley. 
v.  James,  a  lawyer,  died  in  Michigan, 
vi.  Jane,  married  James  H.  Flack, 
vii.   Margaret,  married  Col.  William  McClellan. 

ALEXANDER  (3)  RANDLES,  born  in  Hebron,  Washing- 
ton County,  New  York,  April  9,  1791 ;  died  there  January  14, 
1860;  married  September  15,  1815,  Mary  Ann  Louden;  born 
July  14,  1797;  died  April  24,  1860. 
Children: 

i.   Martha    Jane    (4),    born    June    22,    1816;    married 

Joseph  (2)  Gilchrist.  (See  page  124.) 
ii.  Andrew,  born  Apr.  3,  1822. 

ANDREW  (4)  RANDLES,  born  in  Hebron,  New  York, 
April  3,  1822;  died  in  Waterman,  Illinois,  March  16,  1896; 
married  in  Argyle,  New  York,  February  13,  1845,  Margaret 

225 


Somonauk  Church 

Ann  McGeoch;    born  in  Argyle,  New  York,  February   15, 
1825;  died  in  Waterman,  Illinois,  March  28,  1891;  daughter 
of  Alexander  McGeoch  and  wife  Jannet,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam (2)  McClellan. 
Children: 

i.  Alexander    (5),   born   in   Hebron,   N.   Y.,   Feb.    13, 

1846. 
ii.  William  J.,  born  in  Greenwich,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  9,  1848. 
in.  Mary  Jeannette,  born  Aug.   14,   1850;   died  Feb.  6, 
1881;    married  Dec.   20,    1870,   William   Doig 
McCleery.   (See  page  177.) 
Andrew  (4)  Randies,  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  years,  was 
elected  a  ruling  elder  in  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  in 
East  Greenwich,  New  York,  continuing  to  serve  as  elder  until 
his  removal  to  Illinois  in  1867,  where  he  was  an  elder  in  the 
Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church  until  his  death,  fifty 
years  in  all. 

Mr.  Randies  owned  for  twenty  years  the  Patten  homestead 
near  East  Greenwich,  New  York,  where  Alexander  R.  Patten 
was  born  and  reared.  Coming  to  Illinois  in  the  spring  of  1867, 
they  bought  an  improved  farm  in  Clinton  township  for  $35 
per  acre.  Here  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 

WILLIAM  J.  (5)  RANDLES,  born  in  Greenwich,  New 
York,  August  9,  1848;  died  May  23,  1917;  married  in 
Somonauk,  Illinois,  December  17,  1873,  Emily,  a  daughter 
of  Thomas  (3)  White;  born  February  19,  1851;  died  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1888. 
Children: 

i.  Martha   (6),  married  first  Archie  Howison;   second, 

George  McCleery.   (See  pages  157  and  181.) 
ii.  Roy,  married  Marie  McCleery. 
iii.  Andrew,  married  Myrtle  Beitle. 
iv.  Anna,  married  Wallace  Cox. 

226 


The  Robertson  Families 

The  Robertson  Families 

In  Washington  County  there  were  several  distinct  groups 
of  Robertsons  of  no  known  kinship. 

I 
GILBERT   (1)    ROBERTSON,  married  Isabel  Johnston, 
of  Peterhead,  Aberdeenshire,  Scotland. 

Child: 

i.  John  (2). 

JOHN  (2)   ROBERTSON,  married  Anne  Hamilton. 

Child: 

i.  William  (3),  born  at  Peterhead,  Jan.  19,  1752. 

WILLIAM  (3)  ROBERTSON,  born  January  19,  1752, 
in  Peterhead,  Aberdeenshire,  Scotland;  died  in  Argyle,  Wash- 
ington County,  New  York,  February  15,  1825;  married  in 
Argyle,  now  Greenwich,  September  24,  1775,  Mary,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Archibald  and  Eleanor  (McNaughton)  Livingston, 
owners  of  lot  No.  66  in  the  Argyle  Patent.  Mary  Livingston, 
born  in  Tappan,  Rockland  County,  New  York,  September  26, 
1757;  died  in  Argyle,  August  7,  1793,  when  her  ninth  child 
was  born.  For  the  Livingstons,  see  with  McNaughton  in  Ap- 
pendix. 

Child: 

i.  Mary  (4),  born  in  Argyle,  August  7,  1793;  married 
James  (4)  Patten.  (See  page  210.) 

RUFUS  ROBERTSON,  who  married  Ann  Fitch,  is  believed 
to  belong  to  this  branch  of  the  family. 

ELEANOR  ROBERTSON,  an  aunt  of  Ann  Hoy  Beveridge, 
married  William  (1)  Henry.  (See  page  148.) 

227 


Somonauk  Church 

II 

JOHN    (1)    ROBERTSON    and    his    wife    Christie    Mc- 
Laughlin  came   from   Blair  Athol,   Scotland,   and  settled  in 
Putnam    township,    Washington    County,    New    York,    about 
1800.  John  died  in  1806,  at  thirty-six  years  of  age. 
Child: 

i.   William  (2),  born  Aug.  25,  1805. 

WILLIAM  (2)  ROBERTSON,  born  in  Putnam,  New 
York,  August  25,  1805;  died  in  Aurora,  Illinois,  February 
18,  1885;  married  first,  in  July,  1835,  at  Putnam,  New  York, 
Isabella,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Margaret  (Ray)  William- 
son; born  in  Putnam,  Washington  County,  New  York,  March 
15,  1815;  died  in  Clinton  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois, 
May  6,  1855.  In  1843  they  immigrated  to  Illinois  and  settled 
on  a  prairie  farm  in  Clinton  township,  De  Kalb  County.  They 
were  charter  members  of  the  Somonauk  Associate  Church. 
Mr.  Robertson  kept  the  post-office  at  Dorset  for  a  number  of 
years,  using  his  house  as  his  office.  One  year  his  salary  amounted 
to  $5.68.  Portrait,  page  236. 
Children: 

i.  John  (3),  died  aged  7  years,  at  Putnam,  N.  Y.,  July, 

1843. 
ii.   Daniel,  died  aged  5   years,  at  Putnam,  N.  Y.,  July, 

1843. 
iii.   Charles,   died   aged   one   month,   at   Putnam,    N.    Y., 

March,  1840. 
iv.  Alexander,  died  aged  2  years,  at  Putnam,  N.  Y.,  July, 

1843. 
v.   Henry,   born   in    1844;    died  a  soldier   in   the    Union 

Army,  at  Jackson,  Tenn.,  in  1863. 
vi.   William  Russel,  born  Nov.  21,   1845;   married  Julia 
Fullerton,    1869,    and    died    in    Franklin,    Neb., 
March,  1926. 

228 


The  Robertson  Families 

vii.   Robert  Andrew,  born  March,   1848;  served  as  a  sol- 
dier in  the  Civil  War  for  nearly  three  years;  mar- 
ried Anna  McFarland.  Mrs.  Robertson  died  early 
in  1926  and  Mr.  Robertson  Nov.  3,  1927. 
viii.   Margaret     Isabel,     born     August,      1850;      died     in 

Lincoln,  Neb.,  in  1915;  married  first,  

Douglas;  second,  Rev.  Elam  Phillips,  who  died  in 
New  York  about  1890. 
William  (2),  Robertson  married  second  in  Putnam,  Wash- 
ington County,  New  York,  September,  1856,  Margaret;  born 
there  October  28,   1824,  daughter  of  William  Graham  and 
Jane     (French),    a    daughter    of    Benjamin    and    Charlotte 
(Miller)  French  of  Argyle,  New  York,  and  granddaughter  of 
David  and  Susanna  (Blair)  French,  of  Cambridge,  New  York. 
Children: 

i.  Nettie  (3). 
ii.  Christie. 
William  Robertson,  his  two  wives  and  his  daughter  Christie 
are  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

Ill 

JAMES  (1)  ROBERTSON,  with  wife  Margaret  and  their 
three  children,  came  from  Scotland  and  settled  in  Cambridge, 
New  York,  in  1794.  His  brothers  William  and  Patrick  came 
the  same  year.  James  (1)  died  April  30,  1829,  aged  seventy- 
six  years.  His  wife  died  February  15,  1798,  aged  thirty-eight 
years. 

Children: 

i.  James  (2).  iii.   William, 

ii.  John.  iv.   Helen. 

JAMES  (2)  ROBERTSON,  married  Agnes  Oliver,  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  Oliver,  who  in  1794  was  elected  a  ruling  elder 
in  the  Coila  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

229 


Somonauk  Church 

Children: 

i.  Robert  Oliver   (3),  married  Elizabeth   Henry,  sister 

of  James  Henry,  of  Somonauk,  111. 
ii.   Margaret. 

iii.  William,  born  in  Greenwich,  Washington  County, 
N.  Y.,  Oct.  24,  1823;  died  in  Somonauk,  111.,  Dec. 
25,  1885;  married  in  Greenwich,  N.  Y.,  June  14, 
1850,  Anna  Pamelia  (3)  Henry,  born  in  Green- 
wich, N.  Y.,  Nov.  10,  1822;  died  in  Sandwich, 
111.,  Dec.  12,  1896,  daughter  of  John  Vetch  (2) 
Henry  and  wife  Pamelia  Johnson. 
Children: 

i.   William  J.   (4),  for  many  years  supervisor  of 

Sandwich  township,  Sandwich,  111. 
ii.  Anna    Pamelia,    married    David    James    Arm- 
strong, of  Sandwich,  111.  (See  page  81.) 

The  Shankland  Family 

JOHN  (1)  SHANKLAND,  born  in  Sangour,  Scotland,  in 
1774;  died  at  South  Argyle,  New  York,  April  18,  1825;  mar- 
ried Jannet ,  who  died  December  19,  1863,  aged  eighty 

years. 

Children: 

i.  John  (2),  a  physician. 

ii.  James,  a  clergyman. 

iii.   Moses. 

iv.  Elizabeth,  died  Jan.  3,  1852. 

v.   Margaret,  married  Peter  Mott,  of  Albany,  N.  Y. 

DR.  JOHN  (2)  SHANKLAND,  was  a  charter  member  of 
the  Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church.  The  church  rec- 
ords give  his  wife's  name  as  Mrs.  M.  E.  Shankland.  They  had 
three  children,  Perry  (3),  Alice  and  Nettie.  Dr.  Shankland 
left  Sandwich,  Illinois,  and  went  to  Battle  Creek,  Michigan, 
about  1860. 

230 


The  Stewart  Family 

The  Stewart  Family 

JOHN  (1)  STEWART,  a  Scotch  Covenanter,  fled  from 
Scotland  to  County  Down,  Ireland,  between  1665  and  1685  to 
escape  penalties  incurred  from  noncompliance  with  royal 
edicts  respecting  religious  worship  and  attendance  at  the  Parish 
Church.  The  North  of  Ireland  had  become  a  refuge  for  pro- 
scribed Protestants  and  condemned  Covenanters,  and  thither 
he  went,  preferring  to  abandon  his  native  hills  rather  than  to 
renounce  the  Solemn  League  entered  into  by  the  Scottish  Chris- 
tians in  1643. 

John  Stewart  died  in  1720,  and  of  his  family  we  have  rec- 
ord of  one  son  only,  Robert.  The  following  heads  of  the  gen- 
erations from  John  Stewart  are: 

ROBERT  STEWART  (2),  born  in  1665. 

SAMUEL  STEWART  (3),  born  in  1698. 

ROBERT  STEWART  (4),  born  in  1732. 

WILLIAM  STEWART  (5),  born  in  1765;  married  Mary 
Stewart. 
Children: 

i.  Elijah  (6). 

ii.   Mary,   born   June    5,    1812;    married   William    (1) 
McKee.  (Seepage  199.) 

ELIJAH  (6)  STEWART,  second  child  of  William  (5)  and 
Mary  (Stewart)  Stewart,  was  born  April  5,  1803,  in  Adams 
County,  Pennsylvania;  died  December  15,  1881,  on  his  farm 
in  Somonauk  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois.  He  held  the 
office  of  ruling  elder  in  the  Associated  Church  and  in  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church  for  thirty-seven  years. 

231 


Somonauk  Church 

Elijah  Stewart  married  first,  June  16,  1825,  Agnes,  daugh- 
ter of  Alexander  and  Rebecca  Torrance  McGaughey;  born 
April  11,  1803,  near  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania;  died  Decem- 
ber 19,  1872.  They  lived  fourteen  years  in  Coitsville,  Ohio, 
removing  in  1839  to  Mercer  County,  Illinois.  In  1853  they 
removed  to  Somonauk,  Illinois,  where  they  lived  for  the  rest 
of  their  lives.  They  are  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

Children: 

i.  Alexander  McGaughey  (7),  born  Jan.  7,  1827. 
ii.   William,  born  Oct.  11,  1828;  died  June  7,  1863, 
iii.   Rebecca,  born  Apr.  29,  1831. 
iv.   Mary,  born  Oct.  20,  1833;  married  John  Boyd.  (See 

page  104.) 

v.   Sarah  Ann,  born  Aug.  8,  1837;   died  Dec.   13,  1880. 

vi.  Annette,  born  Jan.  23,  1840,  in  Mercer  County,  111.; 

married  James  McLean    (4)    Dobbin.    (See  page 

109.) 

vii.   Emeline  Amanda,  born  May  8,  1842;  married  James 

McClellan.  (See  page  186.) 
viii.   Samuel  James,  born  Nov.  8,  1845.  He  was  a  minister 
of  the  gospel. 

Mr.  Stewart  married  second,  Mrs.  Julia  A.  (Truesdale) 
Bigham,  of  Wooster,  Ohio. 

ALEXANDER  McGAUGHEY  (7)  STEWART,  the  eld- 
est child  of  Elijah  and  Agnes  (McGaughey)  Stewart;  born 
January  27,  1827,  at  Coitsville,  Ohio;  married  December  26, 
1849,  Jane  Collins;  born  October  26,  1825,  in  Jefferson 
County,  Ohio.  Soon  after  their  marriage  they  removed  to  Mer- 
cer County,  Illinois. 

In  1856  they  came  to  Somonauk  and  bought  eighty  acres 
in  Victor  township,  where  they  settled.  Mr.  Stewart  became  a 
prosperous  farmer,  and  in  a  few  years  bought  another  eighty 

232 


The  Stewart  Family 

acres  adjoining.  Of  their  six  children  only  one  lived  to  ma- 
turity. 

Children: 

i.  John  Collins  (8). 
ii.   Samuel  Russell, 
iii.   Albert  Elijah, 
iv.  Ella  Anne, 
v.  William  Moffett. 

vi.   Elizabeth  Mary,  lived  to  her  twenty-ninth  year.  She 
married  Andrew  (3)  Gilchrist,  and  died  when  her 
only  child  was  an  infant.  (See  page  126.) 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alexander  McGaughey  Stewart  and  their  six 
children  are  all  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 

WILLIAM  (7)  STEWART  was  born  in  Coitsville,  Ohio, 
October  1 1,  1828.  Though  he  never  lived  at  Somonauk,  where 
his  father's  family  was  so  long  identified,  his  short  career  is 
full  of  interest.  Graduated  from  Washington  College,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1849,  he  began  the  study  of  theology,  but  a 
severe  illness  made  it  evident  that  he  could  not  endure  the 
northern  climate.  He  went  south  in  1852  and  was  private  tutor 
in  a  family  at  Sidon,  Mississippi,  for  a  time.  He  studied  medi- 
cine and  practiced  at  Vaiden,  Mississippi,  where  he  married 
Mary  Frances  Pleasants. 

Children: 

i.   Frances  (8). 
ii.  Ernest  William. 

William  Stewart  was  a  Union  man  and  cast  the  only  vote 
in  his  county  against  secession.  When  the  war  began  he  made 
an  effort  to  escape  with  his  family  by  way  of  Mexico,  but  did 
not  succeed.  He  then  entered  the  rebel  army  as  captain  (we 
have  only  rebel  authority  for  this),  but  resigned  in  a  short  time, 
ostensibly  on  account  of  ill  health.  Thinking  to  be  safe  from 
raids,  he  concluded  to  leave  town  and  live  on  his  plantation  in 

233 


Somonauk  Church 

the  timber.  He  found  a  man  whom  he  had  often  befriended, 
a  Mr.  Stokes,  living  in  the  house.  Stokes  agreed  to  leave  but 
kept  delaying.  Finally,  William  ordered  him  out.  The  man 
went  into  the  house  and  through  the  opening  of  the  nearly 
closed  door  shot  William  in  the  back  with  buckshot.  After 
lingering  nineteen  days  in  great  suffering  he  died.  There  being 
no  communcation  between  the  North  and  the  South  at  that 
time,  his  father's  family  did  not  hear  of  his  death  for  two 
years.  His  murderer  escaped  justice. 

The  Thompson  Family 

JOSEPH  A.  (1)  THOMPSON  with  his  children  immigrated 
to  Somonauk  from  Washington  County,  New  York,  in  1 849. 
Mr.  Thompson  had  been  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Putnam  Asso- 
ciate Church  in  Washington  County  and  united  with  the  Som- 
onauk church  on  his  arrival  in  1849.  He  was  elected  ruling 
elder  in  1850  and  the  same  year  went  east,  where  he  married 
Miss  Margaret  Stott,  of  Argyle,  New  York. 

He  purchased  from  the  government  a  piece  of  prairie  land, 
the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  2,  in  Victor  township,  sur- 
veyed in  1853.  There  Mr.  Thompson  spent  the  rest  of  his  life. 
He  is  remembered  as  a  quiet,  rather  stern  man,  but  of  a  tender 
heart,  and  a  good  neighbor.  He  was  unswerving  in  his  convic- 
tions of  the  right.  He  is  buried  in  Oak  Mound  Cemetery.  The 
Thompson  and  More  records,  we  are  told,  were  destroyed  by 
fire. 

Children: 

i.   Marie  P.  (2),  born  Oct.  20,  1820;  died  Dec.  3,  1906, 
near    Viola,    Kan.;    married    James    More.    (See 
page  203.) 
ii.  Eliza;    married   Alexander    (7)    French,    September, 
1850.  (Seepage  120.) 


234 


The  Walker  Family 

The  Walker  Family 

JOHN  (1)  WALKER  was  the  grandson  of  James  Walker 
who  came  from  near  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  and  was  the  head  of 
a  family  in  Hebron,  Washington  County,  New  York,  in  1790. 

Child: 

i.  James  (2),  born  1778. 

JAMES  (2)  WALKER,  born  near  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  in 
1778;  came  to  America,  probably  with  his  parents;  died  in 
Clinton  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  in  1856,  in  the 
home  of  his  son,  John  Walker,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight 
years;  married  Helen  Oliver.  He  was  a  charter  member. 

Children: 

i.   Mary   (3),  born  Mar.   1805;   died  unmarried  at  her 
brother  John's  home  in  1895. 

ii.  Janet,  born  in  1806;  died  Jan.  10,  1839;  married 
Martin  Coon. 

iii.  Helen,  born  in  June,  1807;  died  in  New  York  City 
in  1864;  married  Asa  Miller. 

iv.  Thomas,  born  in  September,  1808;  went  to  sea  and 
was  never  heard  from  afterward. 

v.  Euphemia,  born  and  died  in  1811. 

vi.  James,  born  Apr.  1,  1812;  died  May  23,  1850,  at 
Lone  Tree,  Wyo.,  while  on  an  overland  trip  to 
California.  Married  Mary  Rich  in  1845. 

vii.  George,   born   Feb.   4,    1816;    married   Eleanor  Liv- 
ingston Dobbin,  Mar.  23,  1838. 
viii.  John,  born  Apr.  15,  1818;  died  at  his  home  in  Sand- 
wich, IJ1.,  Jan.  2,  1910,  at  the  age  of  ninety-two. 

ix.  Robert,  born  in  September,  1820;  died  in  New  York 
City  in  1885;  married  Sophronia  Storrs. 

x.  William,  died  aged  fifteen  months. 

235 


Somonauk.  Church 

JOHN  (3)  WALKER,  born  in  Hebron,  Washington 
County,  New  York,  April  15,  1818;  died  January  2,  1910, 
in  Sandwich,  Illinois;  married  September  15,  1839,  Nancy 
Walls;  born  in  County  Antrim,  Ireland,  December  12,  1820; 
died  in  Clinton  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  May 
10,  1859. 

They  came  to  Somonauk  in  the  summer  of  1 842  and  secured 
a  half  section  of  prairie  land  from  the  government  in  Clinton 
township.  They  were  both  charter  members  of  the  Associate 
Church. 
Children: 

i.   William  James  (4),  born  Aug.  1,  1840;  married  first, 

Nov.  24,  1859,  Albina,  a  daughter  of  Richard  and 

Julia  Ann  Kirkpatrick;   second,  Mrs.  Mary  Jane 

Howison,  Nov.  7,   1915. 

ii.   Helen,  born  in  April,   1842;   died  in   1869;   married 

Wallace  Olmstead. 
iii.   Robert,   born   Feb.    26,    1844;    died   June    7,    1927; 
married,  Jan.   24,    1867,   Julia  Ann,  a  daughter 
of  Richard  and  Julia  Ann  Kirkpatrick.  He  is  said  to 
have  been  the   first  white   child  born   in  Clinton 
township.  He  and  Mary,  daughter  of  Robert  Pat- 
ten, were  the  first  children  baptized  in  the  Somon- 
auk church,  which  then  was  a  mission. 
iv.  John,  born  July  26,  1846;  died  Dec.  18,  1916;  mar- 
ried Nov.  28,  1867,  Rebecca,  a  daughter  of  Rich- 
ard and  Julia  Ann  Kirkpatrick. 
v.   Henry,  born  Feb.  20,    1849;    married  Mary  Huston, 

Jan.  12,  1871;  died  June  11,  1926. 
vi.   Oliver,   born  Jan.   2,    1851;    married  July   1,    1874, 

Mary  Tragar;  died  Nov.  7,  188.4. 
vii.  Roseanna,  born  Nov.  — ,  1852;  married  John  Dougal. 
viii.  Mary,  born  Feb.  — ,  1855. 
ix.  Janet,  born  Feb.  — ,  1857;  married  Charles  Hay. 

236 


John  Walker 
Charter  Member 


Mrs.  John   Walker  (Nancy   Walls) 
Charter  Member 


Da>iiel  Nelson  Boyd 
First  Member 


William  Robertson 
Charter  Member 


The  White  Family 

John  Walker  married  second,  February  2,  1860,  Margaret 
Dobbin,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  (3)  Dobbin;  born  in  Green- 
wich Township,  Washington  County,  New  York,  March  24, 
1824;  died  near  Somonauk  church,  April  4,  1899. 

Children:        i.  Edward  (4).      ii.  Elizabeth. 

The  White  Family 

The  paternal  ancestor  of  this  family  is  believed  to  have  been 
Thomas  White,  one  of  the  grantees  of  the  Turner  Patent,  in 
Washington  County,  New  York,  1764. 

THOMAS  (3)  WHITE  was  the  son  of  Robert  (2)  and 
Elizabeth  (Hung)  White;  born  in  Argyle,  New  York,  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1815;  died  at  Somonauk,  Illinois,  February  18, 
1882;  married  February  22,  1837,  Ann  Eliza  Tucker;  born 
June  28,  1815;  died  at  Somonauk,  Illinois,  September  4, 
1883;  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Marcy  (Clark)  Tucker.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  White  came  to  Somonauk  in  1857;  both  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Somonauk  church,  and  they  are  buried  in  Oak 
Mound  Cemetery. 

Children: 

i.  Elizabeth  (4),  died  young, 
ii.  William,  died  young. 

iii.   Puella,  born  June  11,  1846;  married  John  A.  Arm- 
strong. (See  page  81.) 
iv.   Robert,  born  August  31,  1848;  died  March  7,  1880; 

married  Feb.  11,  1875,  Emma  Manly, 
v.   Emily,  born  Feb.    19,   1851;    married  William  John 

Randies.  (See  page  226.) 
vi.  Julia. 

vii.   Martha,  born  Apr.  14,  1855. 
viii.   Mary,  born  Apr.  14,  1855;  died  young, 
ix.  Hampton,  born  Dec.  9,  1857. 
x.   Charles  H.,  born  July  2,  1859. 

237 


Somonauk  Church 

HAMPTON  (4)  WHITE,  born  December  9,  1857;  died 
November  15,   1927;   married  January  31,   1884,  Margaret 
Elizabeth    (4)    Henry;    born  April    1,    1857,  a  daughter  of 
James  (3)  Henry  and  Jennett  (Beveridge). 
Children: 

i.  Mary  E.  (5),  born  Mar.  27,  1885. 
ii.  Henry  J.,  born  Mar.  20,  1887. 
iii.  William  W.,  born  Feb.  12,  1892. 
iv.   Robert  E.,  born  Nov.  2,  1893. 
v.  Jannette  K.,  born  Nov.  7,  1895. 
vi.  Eugene  T.,  born  Aug.  13,  1897. 

CHARLES  H.  (4)  WHITE,  born  July  2,  1859;  married 
January  3,  1883,  Cornelia  Marshall;  born  August  17,  1861. 
Mr.  White  is  a  banker  in  the  village  of  Somonauk  and  owns 
the  homestead  farm  one  mile  north  of  the  town. 

Children: 

i.  Emma  (5),  died  when  a  young  woman, 
ii.  Thomas,  married  Lucy  Scales  and  is  employed  in  a 
bank  in  Sycamore,  111. 

ALEXANDER  (3)  WHITE,  son  of  Robert  (2)  and  Eliza- 
beth (Hung)  White;  born  in  Argyle,  Washington  County, 
New  York,  January  19,  1817;  died  at  his  farm  home  in  Som- 
onauk township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  January  10,  1889; 
married  first,  April  5,  1849,  in  Coila,  New  York,  Mary  Jane 
Robertson,  eldest  daughter  of  John  and  Ann  (Small)  Robert- 
son; born  May  25,  1825,  in  Coila,  New  York;  died  September 
26,  1850,  at  Wheatland,  Will  County,  Illinois. 

Child: 

i.  John  Robertson  (4),  born  Sept.  18,  1850;  died  at 
Santa  Ana,  Cal.,  in  December,  1905,  or  1906; 
married  Sept.  5,  1877,  at  Waterloo,  Iowa,  Jennie 
Williams. 

238 


The  White  Family 

Children: 

i.  Ella  J.  (5). 
ii.  Effie  D. 
iii.  Frank  M. 
In  May,  1849,  Alexander  White  with  his  young  wife  came 
to  Wheatland,  Illinois.  In   1851,  after  his  wife's  death,  he 
purchased  a  farm  one  mile  south  of  the  Somonauk  church,  of 
which  he  and  his  son  became  members. 

September  18,  1858,  Mr.  White  married  in  Squaw 
Grove  township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  as  his  second  wife, 
Eliza,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Margaret  Brown  Howison; 
born  August,  1825,  in  Smailholm,  Roxburyshire,  Scotland* 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  White,  living  alone  on  the  farm,  were  both 
asphyxiated  by  a  leaking  gas  stove,  January  10,  1899.  The 
funeral  services  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  White  were  conducted  by 
Dr.  G.  H.  Robertson  at  their  home,  and  they  were  buried  in 
Oak  Mound  Cemetery. 


239 


APPENDIX 


The  South  A r gyle  United  Presbyterian  Church 
Parent  of  the  Somonauk  Church 


i:S 


LINKS  WITH  THE  PAST 

The  authors  feel  that  the  time  will  come  when  many  whose  youth 
was  spent  in  and  around  old  Somonauk  will  take  pride  in  passing  on  to 
their  children  the  facts  which  constitute  the  historical  background  of  the 
community  centering  about  the  Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  therefore  append  a  brief  summary  of  events,  together  with  copies 
of  letters  and  documents  that  carry  the  story  back  to  the  first  settlements 
on  American  soil,  and  still  farther  back  to  the  origins  of  these  in  Scottish 
and  Irish  soil. 

Scotland  and  Ireland 

The  Scots,  noted  for  their  love  of  justice,  their  bravery,  their  powen 
of  endurance,  their  industry,  their  perseverance,  their  antipathy  to  popery, 
and  their  veneration  for  the  things  of  the  spirit,  are  called  clannish, 
and  rightly  so.  Their  ability  to  hold  steadfast  to  a  principle  and  thereby 
to  retain  solidarity  has  made  their  leavening  influence  appreciable  with 
whatever  community  they  cast  their  lot. 

The  exodus  of  the  three  Argyleshire  colonies  brought  to  the  new  world 
by  Laughlin  Campbell  between  1738  and  1740,  and  that  of  the  Cahans 
from  County  Monaghan,  Ireland,  under  the  clergyman-physician  Dr. 
Thomas  Clark  in  1764}  their  selection  of  a  common  home  in  the  high- 
lands of  the  Hudson  where  the  names  of  places  dear  to  them  were  per- 
petuated} the  drawing  to  them  of  the  Scotch  Presbyterians  from  Massa- 
chusetts Colony}  the  migration  westward  of  the  Washington  County 
pioneers  in  the  next  century,  the  successful  planting  of  the  church  of 
their  fathers  on  prairie  soil  and  the  vigorous  community  life  that  after 
eighty  years  still  flourishes  there — these  are  proof  of  the  vitality  of  the 
faith  that  still  binds  these  people  together,  and  that  makes  them  a  valued 
element  to-day. 

Those  who  would  pass  on  to  their  children  the  true  story  of  the  three 
colonies  "imported"  by  Laughlin  Campbell  and  administered  by  Alex- 
ander McNaughton  will  want  to  read  "The  Fort  Edward  Book"  by 
Robert  O.  Bascom,  published  in  Fort  Edward  in  1903.  And  they  will 
follow  that  with  the  narrative  of  persecutions,  imprisonments  and  pil- 
grimages of  Dr.  Clark's  congregation  in  Ireland  and  of  the  foundation 
of  the  mother  church,  the  Old  White  Church  at  Salem,  New  York, 
charmingly  told  in  "The  Salem  Book,"  published  by  the  Salem  Historical 
Committee  in  1895. 

The  transcripts  of  letters,  petitions,  and  memorials,  the  Argyle  Patent 
and  the  lists  of  early  church  members  that  form  the  body  of  this  Ap- 
pendix have  been  gathered  as  a  labor  of  love  that  covers  more  than  fifty 

243 


[APPENDIX 

years  and  are  now  offered  to   the   younger   generations   as   a   valuable 
legacy  to  hand  down  to  their  children. 

Though  distant  from  her  rugged  shores, 

Still  memory  fondly  turns 
To  Scotia's  bonnie  heatherey  hills, 

Her  corries,  lochs  and  burns. 

For  ne'er  shall  I  find  hearts  so  warm, 

Though  distant  far  I  roam, 
As  gathered  round  the  old  hearthstone, 

My  own  loved  Highland  home. 

Neil  MacLeod. 

Washington  County,  New  York 

On  November  1,  168 3,  the  Province  of  New  York  was  ordered  divided 
into  counties,  the  most  northeasterly  being  named  Albany,  which  has 
been  subdivided  to  make  forty-eight  counties.  On  March  12,  1772, 
Charlotte  County  was  set  off  from  Albany  County  and  named  for  Queen 
Charlotte,  in  honor  of  the  consort  of  George  III,  King  of  England. 
On  April  2,  1784,  by  special  act  of  the  New  York  legislature,  the  name 
was  changed  to  Washington  County  in  honor  of  the  first  president  of 
the  United  States.  The  history  of  the  Scotch  Presbyterian  colonies  that 
settled  in  New  York  state  having  been  told  at  the  beginning  of  this  work, 
the  following  list  of  names  of  ancestors  or  brothers  of  ancestors  of  the 
United  Presbyterians  in  Somonauk,  who  were  ruling  elders  in  the  con- 
gregations inWashington  County,  taken  from  the  "History  of  the  Argyle 
Presbytery"  by  Rev.  James  Schuller,  may  appropriately  find  a  place  here. 

West  Hebron:  Andrew  Beveridge,  William  McClellan,  James  Cum- 
mings,  John  McClellan,  John  Beveridge,  Peter  McClellan,  James  Bev- 
eridge. 

Hebron:  David  Armstrong,  Sr. 

South  Argyle:  James  Shaw,  Gilbert  Robertson,  John  Stott,  Alexander 
Skinner,  Peter  McEachron,  Moses  Robertson,  Samuel  Dobbin,  Alexan- 
der Beveridge,  John  Bishop,  John  Henry,  Isaac  Shaw,  George  Lendrum, 
William  Lendrum,  Duncan  Robertson. 

Twelve  of  the  twenty-four  original  and  first  members  of  the  church  in 
Somonauk,  DeKalb  County,  Illinois,  were  either  members  of  the  South 
Argyle  church  or  attended  it  as  children,  therefore  this  church  may 
appropriately  be  called  the  parent  of  the  Somonauk  church.  (Page  296.) 

Salem:  William  Thompson,  David  Hanna,  John  Beattie,  Hugh 
Thompson. 

Coila:  James  Small,  Thomas  Cummings,  Robert  Oliver,  William  Gra- 
ham, John  Maxwell,  Edward  Cook,  John  Dobbin,  James  Lourie,  John 
Robertson,  Robert  McClellan. 

24-4 


LINKS  WITH  THE  PAST 

Argyle:  Neil  (Cornelius)  McEachron,  Philip  McEachron.  (This  list 
is  incomplete.) 

East  Greenwich:  Samuel  Dobbin  and  William  McNeil  (previously 
installed  in  South  Argyle),  Andrew  Randies,  John  Beveridge,  Archibald 
Lendrum. 

Illinois 

It  now  remains  to  speak  of  the  western  state  that  has  been  the  home 
of  the  later  generations.  Only  one  year  before  the  division  of  New  York 
into  counties  the  first  colony  of  white  men  was  planted  in  the  Mississippi 
Valley.  This  colony  was  the  nucleus  of  the  future  state  of  Illinois. 

Illinois  was  admitted  to  the  Union  as  a  state  on  December  3,  1818, 
having  passed  through  all  the  stages  from  Indian  country  to  statehood. 
As  the  Illini  country,  this  region  was  first  explored  by  the  fur-trader, 
Louis  Joliet,  accompanied  by  the  Jesuit  priest,  Jacques  Marquette,  in 
1673,  the  latter  returning  the  next  year  to  organize  his  converts  among 
the  red  men  into  a  mission  at  Kaskaskia.  The  first  white  colony  was  that 
founded  by  Robert  de  La  Salle  on  the  Illinois  River  in  1682,  at  the 
point  now  known  as  Starved  Rock  but  christened  by  him  Fort  St.  Louis 
in  honor  of  Louis  IX  of  France.  The  flag  of  the  Bourbons  was  flown 
over  this  fort  until  the  British  conquest  in  1763  ended  the  French  regime 
in  the  Mississippi  Valley.  In  1778,  permission  having  been  granted  to 
young  George  Rogers  Clark  by  Thomas  Jefferson,  Governor  of  Virginia, 
to  attempt  the  taking  of  this  region  from  the  British,  the  Illini  country 
became  a  county  of  Virginia  at  the  close  of  his  successful  campaign  and 
so  remained  until  ceded  to  the  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio  River 
in  1784.  Set  off  from  the  Northwest  Territory  as  part  of  Indiana  Ter- 
ritory in  1800,  Illinois  in  1809  obtained  her  own  territorial  status,  and 
so  remained  until  1818,  when,  on  December  3,  she  was  admitted  as  a 
state,  having  been  declared  to  have  the  requisite  number  of  inhabitants. 

The  first  influx  of  settlers  to  Illinois  County  coming  from  the  mother 
colony — the  Old  Dominion — at  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  as  was 
natural,  settled  in  the  southern  half  of  the  new  county,  while  the  portion 
north  of  the  Illinois  River  remained  Indian  country  until  the  Black  Hawk 
War  and  somewhat  after.  It  wTas  the  beautiful  stretch  of  high  rolling 
prairie,  now  De  Kalb  County,  between  the  Rock  and  Fox  rivers,  not 
then  fully  -cleared  of  its  aboriginal  inhabitants,  which  was  selected  by 
the  more  progressive  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  colonies  in 
Washington  County,  New  York,  to  be  the  home  of  themselves  and  their 
children's  children. 

De  Kalb  County,  Illinois 

first  Things 

De  Kalb  County,  so  named  in  honor  of  Baron  De  Kalb,  one  of  the 
heroes  of  the  American  Revolution,  was  set  off  from  Kane  County  on 
May  1,  1837. 

245 


APPENDIX 

The  first  election  was  held  in  the  new  county  July  3,  1837,  the  com- 
missioners then  elected  selecting  Sycamore  as  the  county  seat. 

The  first  white  man's  dwelling  in  the  county  was  built  in  the  summer 
of  1834  by  an  unknown  trapper  on  Somonauk  Creek,  on  the  land  that 
later  became  the  George  Beveridge  farm,  five  miles  north  and  two  miles 
west  of  Sandwich.  Abandoned  in  the  fall  it  was  used  that  winter  by  one 
Robinson,  and  in  1835  was  opened  as  a  tavern  by  Reuben  Root  who  thus 
became  the  first  permanent  settler  of  Somonauk  township. 

The  first  permanent  settlement  in  De  Kalb  County  was  begun  by 
Willliam  Sebree,  a  Virginian,  in  September,  1834,  at  Squaw  Grove.  This 
place  had  been  so  named  in  that  year  by  Mr.  Hollenbeck,  of  La  Salle 
County,  because  he  found  a  large  number  of  squaws  encamped  at  this 
point  when  he  passed  through  prospecting  in  the  spring. 

Other  settlers  who  came  to  Somonauk  township  in  1835  were:  Captain 
William  Davis,  John  Eastabrooks,  Dr.  Arnold,  William  Poplin,  Simon 
Price,  William  and  Joseph  Sly,  Amos  Harmon,  and  William  and  Thomas 
Brook. 

The  first  sod-breaking  in  Somonauk  township  was  done  by  Amos 
Harmon  in  the  spring  of  1835.  The  first  crops  that  year  were  raised 
by  Simon  Price  and  William  and  Joseph  Sly. 

The  first  birth  in  the  township  was  Harriet,  daughter  of  William 
Poplin,  born  January  25,  1836.  The  first  male  child  born  was  Luther, 
son  of  Burrage  and  Mary  Hough. 

In  the  winter  of  18  36-7  the  first  school  was  taught  by  Lucius  Frisbee. 

The  first  post-office  was  established  at  Freeland  Corners,  on  the  Galena 
road,  in  1837,  the  first  postmaster  being  Reuben  Root,  who  was  succeeded 
by  John  Eastabrooks.  Next,  David  Merritt  served,  and  he  was  succeeded 
by  Alexander  R.  Patten. 

In  18  37  Peter  Hummel,  a  son-in-law  of  Mr,  Eastabrooks,  arrived  with 
his  family  from  Pennsylvania. 

In  1838  George  Beveridge  traded  a  quantity  of  woolen  cloth  for  the 
Eastabrooks  farm  on  Somonauk  Creek  and  returned  to  Washington 
County  the  following  year.  Four  years  later  he  brought  his  family  to 
live  in  the  cabin  built  in  1834. 

The  original  ground  occupied  by  the  Oak  Mound  Cemetery  was 
donated  by  Lucius  Frisbee.  The  children  of  Mr.  Frisbee,  and  a  stranger, 
were  the  first  bodies  buried  in  the  cemetery. 

In  1842  the  United  Presbyterians  began  holding  religious  services  in 
the  home  of  George  Beveridge,  but  the  church  was  not  organized  until 
March  18,  1846.  "No  more  devoted  Christians  than  those  who  worship 
here  can  be  found  anywhere." — Boies,  "History  of  De  Kalb  County." 

The  first  children  baptized  were  Robert,  son  of  John  Walker,  born  in 
1844,  and  Mary  C.  Patten,  born  in  1846,  eldest  daughter  of  Robert 
Patten. 

246 


LINKS  WITH  THE  PAST 

The  first  temperance  society  in  De  Kalb  County  was  organized  at 
School  House  No.  3,  in  Upper  Somonauk,  March  9,  184-7.  Extracts 
from  the  records  of  the  organization  follow. 

About  1848  William  H.  Beaver  opened  a  store  at  Freeland  Corners. 
He  sold  to  David  Merritt  and  the  latter  to  James  H.  Beveridge  and 
Alexander  R.  Patten.  Later,  Mr.  Beveridge  sold  his  interest  in  the  store 
to  Mr.  Patten,  who,  in  the  autumn  of  1854,  removed  the  store  to 
Sandwich. 

In  1853  the  Chicago  and  Aurora  Railroad  extended  its  line  from 
Aurora  to  Mendota,  the  material  to  lay  the  track  being  hauled  through 
Sandwich.  It  is  recalled  that  the  name  of  the  engine  used  on  this  con- 
struction train  was  "Lightning."  At  that  date  the  engines  were  all  named. 
The  first  four  engines  that  drew  the  first  passenger  trains  through  Sand- 
wich— two  each  way — were  the  "North  Wind,"  the  "South  Wind,"  the 
"East  Wind"  and  the  "West  Wind." 

In  1858,  what  is  now  known  as  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  was 
formed  by  the  union  of  the  Associate  and  Associate  Reformed  churches. 
The  Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church  formerly  belonged  to  the 
Associate  branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  America. 

The  principal  Indian  settlements  in  De  Kalb  County  were  at  Squaw 
Grove,  at  Coltonville  in  De  Kalb  township,  in  Kingston,  and  at  Shabbona 
Grove,  a  beautiful  plot  of  dense  woodland,  where  lived  the  Indian  chief 
Shabbona,  known  as  the  "White  Man's  Friend." 

Chief  Shabbona— "The  White  Man's  Friend" 
American  history  cannot  be  properly  considered  without  reference  to 
the  original  Americans,  and  certainly  no  history  dealing  with  northern 
Illinois  is  complete  without  mention  of  Shabbona,  whose  name  (pro- 
nounced Shaw'-be-neh)  was  a  loved  household  word  in  the  homes  of 
everyone  of  our  forebears.  It  is  acknowledged  that,  had  not  this  great 
Indian  espoused  the  white  man's  cause  at  the  outbreak  of  the  War  of 
1812,  settlement  in  this  region  might  have  been  retarded  for  years  j  for 
it  is  certain  that  hundreds  of  the  pioneers  of  this  territory,  who  lived 
to  build  up  communities,  would  have  been  sacrificed.  By  his  early  rec- 
ognition of  the  advent  of  a  new  civilization,  by  astounding  acts  of  per- 
sonal bravery,  by  the  example  he  set  for 'Other  red  men  and  by  self- 
effacing  loyalty  to  his  white  friends,  Shabbona  wrote  himself  into  our 
annals  as  one  of  nature's  noblemen  and  set  a  standard  of  manhood  rarely 
attained  by  people  of  any  nationality.  Recognized  as  a  great  man  by 
three  generations  of  his  white  contemporaries,  he  nevertheless  suffered 
unbelievable  humiliation  and  hardship  at  the  hands  of  the  white  man's 
government.  No  opportunity  should  be  lost  to  acquaint  the  rising  gen- 
eration with  this  splendid  specimen  of  the  Indian  race,  who  was  per- 
sonally known  to  our  forebears. 

Although  Shabbona,  who  was  born  about  1795,  was  an  Ottawa  of 
the  same  stock  as  the  fierce  Tecumseh,  and  was  himself  cast  in  gigantic 

247 


APPENDIX 

mold,  he  early  decided  that  in  peace  lay  the  Indian's  hope  of  perpetuity. 
He  took  no  part  in  the  Fort  Dearborn  massacre,  but  assisted  in  rescuing 
from  torture  and  delivering  into  the  hands  of  the  British  several  persons 
taken  captive  by  the  Indians.  He  refused  all  of  Black  Hawk's  efforts 
to  draw  him  into  his  confederacy  in  18  32,  thus  keeping  the  Ottawas, 
and  all  but  one  tribe  of  the  Pottawattomies,  from  allying  themselves 
with  the  great  Fox  commander,  whom  he  had  long  tried  to  convert  to 
a  policy  of  peace. 

Realizing  that  he  had  lost  caste  with  Black  Hawk,  who  had  put  a 
price  upon  his  head,  a  price  that  he  might  pay  at  any  hour,  Shabbona 
determined  to  attempt  to  save  the  lives  of  the  settlers  from  Bureau 
County  eastward,  by  giving  them  timely  warning  to  seek  refuge  in  Fort 
Dearborn. 

He  lost  no  time,  but,  sending  his  wife  and  her  people  into  Indiana 
for  safety,  called  his  son  and  a  nephew  to  a  secret  rendezvous,  where  he 
revealed  to  them  his  masterly  plan.  Apportioning  to  each  a  certain  dis- 
trict, he  urged  them  not  to  spare  their  ponies  but  to  reach  each  farm 
and  settlement  in  a  circuit  of  hundreds  of  miles.  Mounting  his  swiftest 
pony,  Shabbona  rode  the  faithful  creature  until  it  dropped,  when  he 
changed  the  saddle  to  a  borrowed  horse  and  rode  on,  completing  the 
circuit  only  at  the  end  of  forty-eight  hours.  In  some  cases  he  rode  back 
a  second  time  to  urge  the  incredulous  to  seek  safety  within  Fort  Dearborn 
and  the  lesser  fortified  places.  There  is  at  least  one  person  now  living 
who  as  an  infant  was  carried  in  his  mother's  arms  in  the  flight  to  Fort 
Dearborn.  This  is  Major  Charles  Blodgett,  of  Downer's  Grove. 

At  Indian  Creek,  just  south  of  Paw  Paw  township  in  De  Kalb  County, 
no  heed  was  given  the  warning.  The  men  were  in  the  fields,  the  women 
about  their  household  duties,  little  children  were  playing  happily  about 
the  houses,  when  on  the  20th  of  May,  like  a  bolt  out  of  blue  sky  Black 
Hawk's  Indians  fell  upon  the  settlement.  Fifteen  were  killed  and  two 
young  women  taken  prisoners.  The  victims  of  the  massacre  lie  buried 
in  the  beautiful  cemetery  on  Indian  Creek,  where  modest  monuments 
stand  out  on  the  hillside,  bearing  the  names  of  this  little  group  that 
perished  in  their  effort  to  blaze  the  trail  for  future  home-makers. 

United  States  troops,  guided  by  Shabbona,  captured  the  blood-crazed 
Black  Hawk  and  thus  ended  the  domain  of  the  Indians  east  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi. Small  as  is  the  space  given  in  general  histories  to  the  Black  Hawk 
War,  many  who  afterward  became  famous  were  here  thrown  together, 
among  them  General  Whiteside,  commander  of  the  Federal  troops,  Col. 
Zachary  Taylor,  Capt.  Robert  Anderson,  Lieut.  Jefferson  Davis,  Albert 
Sidney  Johnston,  John  Reynolds,  and  William  Hamilton,  a  son  of  Alex- 
ander Hamilton.  It  was  in  this  same  war  that  Abraham  Lincoln  gained 
his  first  military  experience,  being  captain  of  a  company  of  state  troops. 
Gen.  Winfield  Scott,  assigned  to  the  defense  of  Fort  Dearborn,  thus 
describes  the  line  of  march  of  a  detachment  of  his  troops:  "From  Fort 
Dearborn  to  Naperville,  from  Naperville  across  the  Fox  River,  thence 

248 


LINKS  WITH  THE  PAST 

to  Somonauk  Creek,  thence  to  Ross  Grove,  thence  to  Dixon's  Ferry." 
The  place  where  Scott's  army  crossed  Somonauk  Creek  we  understand 
was  a  point  near  the  site  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  where  sev- 
eral generations  of  our  people  have  worshiped  in  peace.  The  Indians 
lingered  in  this  region  in  numbers  until  18  37,  when  the  greater  number 
were  moved  bodily  to  the  reservations  provided  for  them  in  Iowa,  Mis- 
souri, Kansas  and  Nebraska.  Shabbona  returned  more  than  once  to  his 
favorite  haunts  in  De  Kalb  County,  and  it  seems  probable  that  the  beau- 
tiful grove  that  bears  his  name  will  some  time  be  marked  with  a  tablet 
reciting  the  services  that  "The  White  Man's  Friend"  performed  in 
behalf  of  the  pioneers  on  this  frontier. 

Early   Schools 

In  the  hearts  of  the  Scotch  Presbyterians  the  lamp  of  learning  was 
tended  with  the  same  zeal  that  kept  the  lamp  of  religion  burning  with 
an  intense  white  light.  Invariably  the  church  and  the  school  appear 
simultaneously  in  the  villages  settled  by  these  people,  and  the  following 
extracts  from  Andrew  Graham's  "History  of  School  District  139"  give 
us  a  first-hand  picture  that  is  typical  and  an  invaluable  record  going 
back  three-quarters  of  a  century.  This  is  still  in  manuscript. 

"My  father,  Robert  Graham,  piloted  his  schooner  across  the  flower 
spangled  waves  of  prairie  grass  to  the  home  of  George  Beveridge  in 
May  1850.  In  those  days  school  houses  were  few  and  far  between  and 
in  the  winter  the  big  boys  and  girls  would  go  miles  to  get  to  a  school. 
Young  men  past  their  majority  and  occasionally  a  married  man  were 
often  regular  attendants.  Miss  Elizabeth  Irwin  who  became  Mrs.  Thomas 
Beveridge  was  our  first  teacher  in  the  little  log  school  that  stood  in  the 
brush  a  few  yards  from  George  Beveridge's  house. 

"The  first  school  house  in  Victor  township  situated  on  the  southeast 
corner  of  the  N.  E.  quarter  of  Section  1  was  erected  mainly  by  the  Rev. 
R.  W.  French  and  John  Boyd,  the  lumber  having  been  hauled  from 
Aurora  and  Chicago,  the  latter  a  four  day  journey  away.  The  building 
was  18  by  20  feet  in  size  and  set  on  blocks  about  which  the  earth  was 
banked  in  winter.  On  the  east  side  was  a  recitation  seat  the  full  length 
of  the  building,  in  front  of  which  was  a  space  for  classes.  The  north 
end  had  a  similar  bench. 

"A  wood  stove  stood  about  seven  feet  from  the  south  end.  The  rest 
of  the  space  was  occupied  by  one  aisle  and  twelve  desks  made  for  two 
pupils  each.  The  teacher  had  no  stand  or  desk.  There  was  no  vestibule 
and  we  stepped  from  outdoors  into  the  schoolroom  and  hung  our  hats, 
hoods  and  wraps  on  nails.  It  was  not  very  warm.  We  wore  cowhide 
boots.  The  boys  wore  no  underwear.  Some  of  us  never  heard  of  under- 
wear until  after  we  were  grown,  but  we  sometimes  put  on  two  pair  of 
pantaloons.  The  girls  wore  shawls  and  hoods  and  both  sexes  had  big 
scarfs  called  'comforters'  wound  around  and  around  their  necks. 

249 


APPENDIX 


"The  teachers  in  this  schoolhouse  were  Margaretta  Thompson  (1852), 
Thaddeus  Carpenter,  Salina  Cheever,  Sarah  Jane  Graham,  Augusta 
Carpenter,  Miss  Barber,  Edward  Elsey,  James  Price,  Samuel  McBride, 
Mary  Ann  Davis  and  John  Stakemiller." 

Mr.  Graham  himself  taught  nearly  one  hundred  months  in  this  vicinity 
and  many  now  living  are  grateful  for  the  desire  for  learning  inspired 
by  this  able  educator,  who,  as  a  tall,  straight,  sandy-haired  boy,  "stepped 
from  the  outdoors  into  the  schoolroom"  that  was  to  be  the  stage  upon 
which  so  large  a  part  of  his  after  life  was  to  be  played.  Both  James  and 
Henry  Patten  were  among  his  pupils  for  a  term. 

Organization  of  the  First  Temperance  Society  in  De  Kalb 
County,  Somonauk,  March  9,  184-7 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Upper  Somonauk,  held  at  the 
schoolhouse  No.  3,  the  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Mr.  Hyatt.  Several 
addresses  were  delivered  on  the  subject  of  temperance.  A  pledge  was 
circulated  and  forty  names  subscribed. 

"A  temperance  society  was  then  organized  by  the  appointment  of 
H.  D.  Kirtland,  president j  David  Merritt,  vice-president}  William 
Patten,  secretary. 

"H.  W.  Fay,  J.  H.  Beveridge  and  Daniel  Hoag  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  draft  a  constitution  and  by-laws  for  the  society  and  report 
at  the  next  meeting. 

"G.  H.  Hough  was  invited  to  deliver  an  address  at  the  next  meeting. 
Adjourned  to  meet  at  the  schoolhouse  No.  2,  on  Monday  the  15th  at 
6  p.  m." 

The  Pledge 

"We  hereby  pledge  ourselves  that  we  will  abstain  from  the  use  of  all 
intoxicating  drinks  as  a  beveridge  and  that  we  will  use  our  best  endeavors 
to  dissuade  others  from  the  use  of  them. 


David  Merritt 
J.  H.  Beveridge 
William  Patten 
A.  R.  Patten 
Franklin  Dale 
Horace  W.  Fay 
George  Hough 
I.  S.  Clark 
Daniel  N.  Boyd 
Philo  P.  Tuttle 
Wm.  H.  Eddy 
Miles  Kellogg 
Noah  W.  Hancock 
Ann  Beveridge 
Melinda  Wilson 


Frances  Bacon 
Mary  Clark 
Lavinia  S.  Clark 
Sophia  Clark 
Catherine  S.  Pratt 
Jane  N.  Pratt 
Esther  Ann  Hough 
Catherine  Coleman 
Calvin  D.  Lackey 
Lucy  Ann  Alexander 
Susan  Alexander 
James  H.  Furman 
Henry  Stone 
Harvey  Ward 
Daniel  Hoag 


F.  N.  Witherspoon 
Colin  L.  Pratt 
Daniel  H.  Beman 
James  N.  Kirtland 
Luther  M.  Hough 
Calvin  Hough 
Henry  Carpenter 
H.  D.  Kirtland 
Andrew  J.  Potter 
H.  Wm.  Eddy 
Charles  H.  Westf  all 
Wesley  Hough 
Wallace  Carpenter 
T.  G.  Beveridge 
D.  M.  Dobbin 


250 


LINKS  WITH  THE  PAST 


George  Beveridge 
Charles  P.  Buckingham 
Horace  Bacon 
Hez.  S.  Clark 
William  Root 
G.  L.  Hough 
Byron  Carpenter 
Alex.  Wilson 
Augusta  Carpenter 
Jennet  Burchim 
Roxanna  Carpenter 
Francis  Clark 
Sarah  Eddy 
Belinda  E.  Eddy 


Harriet  Hough 
M.  Hoag 
Clarissa  Dale 
Caroline  Dale 
A.  Westf  all 
L.  M.  Westfall 
Mahala  P.  Fay 
Rhoda  S.  Fay 
A.  D.  Root 
Agnes  Beveridge 
Robert  Patten 
Catherine  M.  Patten 
Mary  Patten 
Elizabeth  Patten 


Martha  N.  Sweetland 
W.  M.  Sweetland 
William  French 
Isabel  French 
James  French 

March  15,  1847 
Burrage  Hough 
Mary  Hough 
Silas  D.  Coleman 
James  Clark 
Robert  Howison 
Henry  Tucker 
Eunice  Eddy 
Josepha  Lay" 


Oak  Mound  Cemetery 
Somonauk  Cemetery  Association 

The  cemetery  records  show  that  the  original  three  acres  were  part  of 
a  parcel  of  land  purchased  by  David  Merritt  from  the  United  States 
April  21,  1847,  and  were  deeded  to  the  commissioners  of  De  Kalb 
County,  May  3,  of  that  year,  "for  the  inhabitants  of  Somonauk  precinct 
and  vicinity  to  be  used  as  a  burying  ground."  Under  date  of  September 
15,  1881,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  gave  a  quit  claim  deed  on  these  three 
acres  to  the  Oak  Mound  Cemetery  Association.  The  members  of  the 
Cemetery  Board  at  that  time  were  James  H.  Beveridge,  James  W.  French, 
William  S.  Beveridge,  Charles  E.  Wilson  and  Josiah  Fosgate. 

The  incorporation  of  the  Oak  Mound  Cemetery  Association  bears  the 
date  April  3,  1882.  A  new  act  being  approved  May  14,  1903,  papers  of 
incorporation  were  issued  to  the  Somonauk  Cemetery  Association  October 
14,  1910,  and  the  property  deeded  to  the  new  body. 

In  1909,  George  W.  Patten  bought  ten  acres  of  land  west  of  the 
original  cemetery  and  built  the  superintendent's  house.  Later,  a  complete 
water  system  with  an  artesian  well  was  installed  by  his  brothers  who 
also  built  the  Bedford  stone  balustrade  surrounding  the  cemetery.  George 
W.  Patten  by  his  will  bequeathed  $42,000  to  form  an  endowment  fund 
for  the  cemetery,  which,  by  additions  from  other  lot  owners,  has  grown 
to  about  $60,000.  An  unusual  feature  of  the  improving  of  this  spot  is 
the  extensive  planting  of  trees  and  ornamental  shrubs  of  varieties  not 
native  to  this  region,  which  in  time  will  constitute  an  arboretum.  The 
cemetery  is  situated  on  a  rise  of  ground  a  quarter  of  a  mile  west  of  the 
United  Presbyterian  Church,  five  miles  north  and  two  miles  west  of 
Sandwich,  Illinois. 

In  this  cemetery  are  buried  nearly  all  of  the  original  members  of  the 
Somonauk  United  Presbyterian  Church  and  many  of  their  descendants. 


25 


APPENDIX 


Names  of  Persons  Who  United  With  the  Somonauk  United 
Presbyterian  Church  During  the  Pastorates  of  the  Reverend 
R.  W.  French  and  the  Reverend  W.  T.  Moffett,  1849-1878 


1849 — By  Certificate 
Mrs.  R.  W.  French 
Mr.  Joseph  Thompson 
Mr.  James  McAllister 
Mrs.  Jane  McAllister 
Miss  Mary  McAllister 
Mrs.  N.  P.  French 

By  Profession 
Mr.  James  H.  Beveridge 
Mr.  James  W.  French 
Miss  Eliza  Howison 

1850 — By  Certificate 
Mr.  Robert  Graham 
Mrs.  Sarah  Graham 
Mr.  Harvey  Easton 
Mrs.  Harvey  Easton 
Miss  Margaret  Thompson 
Mr.  James  More 
Mrs.  Maria  More 
Miss  Christian  Easton 

By  Profession 
Mr.  John  Boyd 
Miss  Martha  McAllister 

1851  (or  185  7)— By  Certificate 

Mrs.  Thompson 

Mr.  James  McCleery 

Mr.  John  McCleery 

Mr.  Edward  C.  McCleery 

Mrs.  Edward  McCleery 

By  Profession 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Irwin  Beveridge 
Miss  Robena  Jane  French 

185  2 — By  Certificate 
Miss  Mary  A.  French 
Mr.  David  Orr 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Orr 
Mrs.  Eliza  Stott  Dobbin 
Mr.  Andrew  Beveridge 
Mrs.  Jane  Martin  Beveridge 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Stahl 


1853 — By  Certificate 
Mr.  Elijah  Stewart 
Mrs.  Elijah  Stewart 
Miss  Mary  Stewart 
Mr.  Tobias  Cole 
Mrs.  Anna  Cowden  Cole 
Mr.  James  C.  Patton 

By  Profession 
Mrs.  John  Campbell 
Mrs.  Daniel  Boyd 

1854 — By  Certificate 

Miss  Catherine  Walls 
Miss  Ann  Beveridge 
Mr.  James  Henry 
Mrs.  Jennet  Henry 
Mr.  Thomas  Beveridge 

By  Profession 
Miss  Sarah  Ann  Stewart 
Miss  Nancy  Ferguson 

Method  and  Date  Not  Given 
Mrs.  Mary  Patten 
Mr.  Alexander  White 
Miss  Margaret  McFarland 
Miss  Catharine  McCleery 
Miss  Margaret  McCleery 
Mr.  Joseph  Thompson,  Jr. 
Miss  Margaretta  Thompson 
Mr.  Samuel  McBride 
Mrs.  Rebecca  McBride 
Mrs.  James  McCleery 
Mrs.  John  McCleery 
Mr.  James  Ferguson 
Mrs.  Nancy  Ferguson 
Mr.  Robert  Ferguson 
Mr.  Isaac  Kirkpatrick 
Mrs.  Isaac   Kirkpatrick 
Mr.  Hezekiah  Kirkpatrick 
Mrs.  Hezekiah  Kirkpatrick 

1855 — By  Certificate 
Miss  Marv  L.  Pratt 


252 


LINKS  WITH  THE  PAST 


18  56 — By  Certificate 
Mr.  James  A.  Henry 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Henry 
Miss  Christie  Ann  Henry 
Mr.  A.  M.  Stewart 
Mrs.  Jane  C.  Stewart 
Mr.  John  Dobbin 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Carr 
Mr.  Smith  Mercer 
Mrs.  Smith  Mercer 
Mrs.  Jemima  Cummings 
Miss  Margaret  Macklin 
Mrs.  Jane  Somes  Patten 
Miss  Sarah  Jane  Graham 
Mr.  James  McClellan 
Mr.  Moses  Robertson 
Mr.  Thomas  Graham 
Mrs.  Thomas  Graham 
Miss  Pamelia  Henry 
Miss  Annette  Stewart 
Mr.  W.  B.  Graham 
Mr.  S.  Nelson  McClellan 
Mr.  Isaac  M.  Graham 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Graham 
Mrs.  M.  E.  Shankland 

By  Profession 
Miss  Jane  Patton 
Miss  Phoebe  Dobbin 
Miss  Lucy  Wells 

1857 — By  Certificate 
Adeline 

By  Profession 
Miss  Ellen  Ann  French 
Mrs.  Laura  Avery 

185  8 — By  Certificate 
Mr.  William  Henry 
Mrs.  William  Henry 
Mr.  James  McEachron 
Mrs.  Margaret  McEachron 

By  Profession 
Mr.  William  Howison 
Mr.  Robert  Howison 
Mr.  Alexander  Howison 
Mr.  Andrew  S.  Dobbin 


Mr.  James  M.  Dobbin 
Miss  Emeline  Stewart 
Miss  Anna  Mary  Henry 
Miss  Isabel  Henry 
Miss  Ellen  McAllister 
Mr.  Edward  Graham 
Mr.  William  P.  Wells 
Mrs.  Mary  Wells 
Mr.  Henry  Carr 
Miss  Ellen  Walker 
Mr.  Andrew  A.  Beveridge 
Mrs.  Sarah  Bullock 
Mrs.  Jane  Allen 
Miss  Elizabeth  Henry 
Miss  Eliza  Mcllvaine 

1859 — By   Certificate 
Mrs.  Eliza  Fullerton 

By  Profession 
Mr.  John  V.  Henry 
Mr.  Andrew  Beveridge 

1860 — By  Certificate 
Mr.  John  Armstrong 
Mrs.  John  Armstrong 
Mrs.  Margaret  Dobbin  Walker 
Mr.  David  Armstrong,  Sr. 
Mrs.  Margaret  Livingston 
Mrs.  Mary  McAllister  Christie 

By  Profession 
Mr.  Leonard  Wells 
Mr.  Samuel  J.  Stewart 
Mr.  George  Allen 
Mr.  James  H.  Coon 
Miss  Sarah  Belle  Beveridge 

1861 — By  Certificate 
Mrs.  W.  T.  Moffatt 
Miss  Nancy  Taylor 
Mr.  Anderson  Graham 
Mrs.  Anna  McCague 
Mr.  John  Morrison 

By  Profession 
Miss  Catherine  Pratt 
Mr.  Andrew  H.  Graham 
Mr.  Alexander  Graham 


253 


APPENDIX 


1862 — By  Certificate 
Mr.  William  T.  Armstrong 
Mrs.  Mary  Armstrong 
Mr.  William  Irwin 
Mrs.  Margaret  Irwin 
Miss  Eleanor  Irwin 
Mr.  John  C.  Beveridge 
Mr.  John  McCleery 
Mrs.  Ann  McCleery 
Mrs.  Margaret  Howison 

By  Profession 
Miss  Mary  French 
Miss  Margaret  Ann  Dobbin 
Mr.  John  C.  Stewart 
Mr.  Robert  Brown 

1863 — By  Certificate 
Mr.  John  McGibbon 
Mrs.  Cynthia  A.  McGibbon 
Mr.  William  McKee 
Mrs.  Mary  McKee 
Miss  Maria  McKee 
Miss  Sarah  McKee 
Miss  Esther  McAllister 
Mrs.  Hannah  Ellen  Howison 
Mrs.  Maria  P.  More 

By  Profession 
Mr.  Thomas  Irwin 
Miss  Sarah  French 
Miss  Sarah  E.  More 
Miss  Mary  Ann  McCleery 
Miss  Elizabeth  McCleery 
Mrs.  Rosanna  Fraser 
Miss  Nancy  Mary  Graham 
Mr.  James  Graham 
Mrs.  Sarah  McAllister  Graham 
Miss  Mary  Ann  Graham 
Mr.  William  John  Graham 
Miss  Mary  Jane  Graham 

1864 — By  Certificate 
Mrs.  Margaret  Orr 
Mr.  Alexander  Fullerton 
Mr.  Christopher  Pierce 
Mrs.  Margaret  Pierce 
Mr.  Joseph  Gilchrist 


Mrs.  Martha  Jane  Gilchrist 
Miss  Anna  Mary  Gilchrist 
Mr.  T.  B.  Cole 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Cole 
Mr.  John  Cain 
Mrs.  Eliza  Cain 
By  Profession 
Miss  Sarah  Irwin 
Miss  Sarah  Henry 
Miss  Lucretia  Carr 
Miss  Ellen  McCleery 
Mr.  James  Blair  Dobbin 
Mr.  Andrew  Graham 
Mr.  George  Lawrence 
Miss  Arvilla  Roff 

1865 — By  Certificate 
Mr.  Daniel  Tuttle 
Mrs.  Margaret  Tuttle 
Miss  Agnes  McGeoch 
Mr.  Alexander  Robertson 
Mrs.  Albina  Walker 
Mr.  Alexander  Miller 
Mrs.  Eliza  Miller 
Mr.  John  Mahaffey 
Mrs.  Martha  Mahaffey 
Mrs.  Ellen  Radley 
Miss  Margaret  McCleery 
Miss  Mary  Ann  Orr 

By  Profession 
Mr.  Joseph  More 
Mr.  John  Walker,  Jr. 
Miss  Jeannette  Sarah  Gilchrist 
Miss  Caroline  Goodell 
Mr.  William  D.  McCleery 
Mr.  William  C.  Ferguson 
Mr.  William  James  Walker 
Mr.  Robert  Walker 
Mr.  John  Huston 
Mr.  Edie  R.  Stewart 
Mr.  James  Martin  McCleery 
Miss  Anna  Graham 

1866 — By  Certificate 
Mrs.  Margaret  Fulton 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  McGeoch 


254 


LINKS  WITH  THE  PAST 


Mr.  Joseph  Fulton 

Mr.  Wilson  A.  Shelby 

Mr.  John  Bert 

Mrs.  Jeannette  McEachron 

Miss  Mary  McCall 

By  Profession 
Mr.  Wallace  More 
Miss  Ellen  Orr 
Mrs.  Ann  Still 
Miss  Isabel  McAllister 
Miss  Minnie  Wood 
Mr.  William  Robertson 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Robertson 
Mr.  William  J.  McAllister 
Mr.  Chester  Henry 
Mr.  Andrew  Robertson 
Mr.  I.  McKelvey 
Mrs.  Marie  McKelvey 
Mr.  William  Morehead 

1867 — By  Certificate 
Mr.  E.  E.  Mitchell 
Mrs.  Anna  Kirkpatrick  Walker 
Miss  Mary  Ann  Mitchell 
Mr.  Oliver  Mitchell 
Mrs.  E.  J.  Mitchell 
Mr.  Thomas  McEachron 
Mrs.  Margaret  McEachron 
Mr.  Peter  C.  McClellan 
Mrs.  Isabel  Beveridge  McClellan 
Mr.  Andrew  Randies 
Mrs.  Margaret  Ann  Randies 
Miss  Robena  Jane  Kirkpatrick 
Miss  Margaret  McClellan 
Mr.  Alexander  Randies 
Mrs.  Mary  Randies 
Mr.  John  A.  McConnell 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  McConnell 
Mr.  William  Armstrong 
Mrs.  Phoebe  Armstrong 
Mr.  David  James  Armstrong 
Mr.  James  R.  Graham 
Mrs.  Margaret  Jane  Graham 
Mrs.  Adeline  McCleery 
Mr.  J.  Elliott  Kirkpatrick 
Mr.  James  McCleery,  Jr. 


Mrs.  Margaret  McCleery 
Mr.  Alexander  McGeoch 
Miss  Eliza  Kirkpatrick 
Miss  Rebecca  Kirkpatrick 

By  Profession 
Mr.  Michael  McCally 
Mr.  William  Mitchell 
Mr.  John  A.  Armstrong 
Mr.  George  McEachron 
Miss  Mary  R.  McEachron 
Miss  Mary  A.  McEachron 
Miss  Mary  Jeannette  Randies 
Miss  Emma  Kirkpatrick 
Miss  Agnes  Kirkpatrick 
Miss  Jane  E.  Fullerton 
Miss  Martha  S.  Fullerton 
Miss  Margaret  I.  Robinson 
Mr.  Clark  G.  Cole 
Mr.  James  Graham 
Mr.  William  J.  Randies 
Mr.  James  Irvine  More 
Miss  Margaretta  Kirkpatrick 
Miss  Puella  White 

1868 — By  Certificate 

Hon.  A.  W.  Graham 
Mrs.  Mary  Graham 
Mr.  Alexander  Henry 
Mrs.  Isabel  Henry 

By  Profession 
Mr.  John  S.  Kirkpatrick 
Mr.  Wallace  Gilchrist 
Mr.  Robert  I.  McCleery 
Mr.  Albert  Gilchrist 
Mr.  Henry  Walker 
Mr.  Easton  Kirkpatrick 
Mr.  John  R.  White 
Mr.  Taylor  Fullerton 
Miss  Mary  Jane  Graham 

1869 — By  Certificate 

Miss  Mattie  Moffatt 
Mrs.  Sarah  McEachron 
Mrs.  Mary  Kenyon 
Mr.  Donald  Mclnnis 


255 


APPENDIX 


By  Profession 
Mr.  Robert  McAfee 
Miss  Susan  French 
Miss  Rosanna  Walker 
Miss  Laura  Goodell 

18  70 — By  Certificate 
Mrs.  Margaret  Martin 

1871 — By  Certificate 

Mr.  William  Watson 
Mrs.  Esther  Watson 
Mrs.  Mary  Clymons 
Mrs.  Mary  Cain 
Miss  Eliza  Cain 
Mr.  I.  L.  Graham 

By  Profession 
Mr.  James  Doig  Orr 
Mr.  Alexander  Gilchrist 

18  72 — By  Certificate 

Mrs.  Lizzie  J.  Shepherd  MofTatt 
Mrs.  Margaret  Morrison 
Mr.  Andrew  Beveridge,  Jr. 

By  Profession 
Mrs.  Eliza  Ann  White 
Mrs.  William  Robertson 
Miss  Mary  A.  Morrison 
Mr.  William  Robertson 
Miss  P.  Robertson 

18  73 — By  Certificate 

Mrs.  Mary  Ellen  Gilchrist 
Mrs.  Catherine  Stewart 
Miss  Jeannette  Stewart 
Miss  Samantha  Wood 
Mr.  Thomas  Mcllhenney 

By  Profession 
Mr.  Frank  Morris 
Mr.  Wallace  MofTatt 
Mr.  Andrew  Gilchrist 
Mr.  Albert  E.  Stewart 
Miss  Ellen  Ann  Stewart 
Miss  Agnes  McBride 
Miss  Emma  White 


Mr.  Edward  McCleery,  Jr. 
Mr.  Albert  Dobbin 
Mr.  Alexander  French 
Mr.  Elliott  Cole 
Mr.  Joseph  Mercer 
Mr.  Simon  N.  Patten 
Mr.  T.  H.  Robinson 
Mr.  James  T.  Winter 
Miss  Laura  Reid 

18  74 — By  Certificate 
Mr.  T.  H.  Robinson 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Robinson 
Mrs.  Myra  Beveridge 
Mr.  John  Mains 

By  Profession 
Miss  Eliza  Jane  Dobbin 
Miss  Sarah  E.  Kirkpatrick 
Miss  Lizzie  McMillen 
Miss  Emma  A.  Schiver 
Miss  Jennie  M.  Patten 

18  75 — By  Certificate 
Miss  Lizzie  Dobbin 
Mrs.  Mary  Hopkins 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Robinson 
Miss  Mary  A.  Robinson 
Mr.  Miles  Robinson 
Mrs.  Ellen  Radley 
Mrs.  Belle  Cole  Armstrong 

By  Profession 
Miss  Jennie  Graham 
Mrs.  Mary  Cain 
Miss  Mary  Stewart 
Miss  Ellen  Stewart 
Miss  Mary  R.  Carr 
Mr.  James  C.  McClellan 
Miss  Anna  M.  McClellan 
Miss  Jeannette  French 
Mr.  Alexander  Farris 
Mr.  Hugh  R.  MofTatt 
Miss  Sarah  J.  McCleery 
Miss  Nora  McEeachron 
Miss  Anna  J.  McEachron 
Miss  Agnes  J.  Dobbin 


256 


LINKS  WITH  THE  PAST 


Mrs.  William  McClellan 
Mr.  Nathan  O.  Graham 

1 876 — By  Certificate 
Mr.  William  Mitchell 
Mrs.  Margaretta  Mitchell 
Mr.  Hezekiah  Kirkpatrick 
Mrs.  Sarah  Kirkpatrick 
Mr.  William  T.  Stinson 

By  Profession 
Miss  Effie  Boyd 
Miss  Fannie  Stewart 
Miss  Charlotte  M.  Morrison 
Mr.  Henry  G.  Dobbin 
Miss  Theresa  McClellan 
Miss  Emma  Dobbin 
Miss  Jennie  Gilchrist 


Mr.  Robert  F.  McCleery 
Miss  Emma  McEachron 
Mr.  James  H.  Robinson 

\%17— By  Profession 
Mr.  Ithamer  Robinson 
Mr.  William  J.  French 
Mr.  Gilbert  Henry 
Miss  Anna  Cole 

1878 — By  Profession 
Miss  Mary  McCleery 
Miss  Anna  L.  Irwin 
Miss  Charity  Dobbin 
Miss  Ida  Hamlin 
Miss  Lona  Hamlin 
Mr.  Ernest  Stewart 
Mr.  Robert  Cole 


257 


APPENDIX 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

The  following-  have  been  selected  from  a  large  number  of  family 
letters  either  because  they  are  vivid  pen  pictures  of  life  in  early  Illinois 
or  because  they  constitute  a  commentary  upon  the  family  histories  con- 
tained in  this  volume. 

The  first  group  are  all  written  to  Miss  Agnes  Beveridge  from  girl 
friends  in  Washington  County,  New  York,  and  touch  in  sprightly  man- 
ner upon  a  wide  circle  of  the  younger  generation,  casting  much  light 
upon  the  manners  and  customs  of  society  in  the  '40s. 

The  letters  of  Alexander  R.  Patten  and  his  sister  show  them  to  have 
been  deeply  interested  in  education,  particularly  the  progress  of  science. 
Miss  Martha  writes  learnedly  about  two  new  therapeutic  agents — 
tomato  pills  and  mesmerism.  Mr.  Patten's  letters  to  his  wife  reflect  his 
intense  devotion  to  "the  lovely  Agnes  Beveridge,"  as  her  friends  loved 
to  call  her. 

The  letters  of  William  Patten  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth  N.  Pratt,  afford 
such  a  picture  of  pioneer  life  as  is  rarely  met  with  in  private  correspon- 
dence, while  the  letters  descriptive  of  the  journey  of  the  gold  seekers 
to  California  are  epic  in  their  way.  The  unvarnished  narrative  of  hard- 
ships experienced  day  after  day — hardships  uncomplainingly  borne  and 
dismissed  with  a  jest — produces  a  profound  respect  for  the  enterprise, 
fortitude  and  endurance  of  Scotch-American  young  manhood.  The  ability 
of  the  young  wife  in  the  management  of  their  farm,  her  cheerfulness 
and  practical  suggestions  for  the  health  and  comfort  of  her  absent  hus- 
band are  no  less  monumental. 

Mr.  Hummel's  is  valuable  for  its  first  hand  information  on  the  begin- 
nings of  Somonauk. 

LETTERS  TO  MISS  AGNES  BEVERIDGE 

/.  Miss  Eleanor  Crawford  Pratt,  aged  14,  of  Cossayuna,  N.  Y.,  to  her 
former  schoolmate,  Miss  Agnes  Beveridge,  of  Somonauk,  III. 

Dear  Friend  Agnes.  JulY  the  7  x  8+2' 

For  some  time  past  I  have  thought  of  writing  to  you  but  it  being  the 
first  time  I  felt  rather  delicate  about  commencing  and  time  past  away 
so  rapidly  that  I  hardly  was  aware  of  it.  I  attended  the  temperance 
celebration  on  the  fourth  of  July  at  Salem.  The  proceedings  all  went 
on  well.  First  of  the  procession  was  the  Salem  band,  after  them  came 
the  captain  with  his  trainers,  the  engine  came  next  drawn  on  a  car  with 
2  horses.  Next  came  a  small  engine  drawn  by  six  or  eight  black  caps 
marked  number  2.* 

On  each  side  of  the  large  engine  there  were  three  men  dressed  in  red 
coats  and  white  pantalones,  and  large  caps,   and  then  came  four  boys 

*The  firemen's  uniform  consisted  of  very  large  black  caps,  blue  coats  and  white 
pantaloons. 

258 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

dressed  in  blue.  They  carried  a  very  handsome  flag-  fixed  off  with  arti- 
ficials and  several  small  flags  with  writing  on  them,  and  the  gentlemen 
and  ladies  ( ? )  came  last.  There  were  very  large  flags  carried.  A  large 
white  cloth  about  half  as  large  as  a  sheet  was  hung  between  the  meeting 
house  and  the  house  opposite,  very  high,  with  Temperance  on  it,  looked 
very  nice.  On  Saturday  last  I  attended  catechizing.  There  were  quite  a 
number  there.  I  missed  your  company. 

A  week  or  two  ago  Andrus  Weaver's  youngest  child  died  with  the 
inflamation  in  the  head.  I  attended  the  funeral.  It  was  a  very  small 
funeral.  There  was  not  but  eight  waggons.  Only  7  went  to  the  grave 
yard.  I  suppose  you  have  not  yet  heard  of  the  death  of  Mrs  Sarah  Stott 
and  her  child.  She  died  the  next  Friday  after  she  was  confined.  How 
great  must  be  the  loss  of  Mrs  Stott.  Mr  Thomas  Lamb  had  5£  stole 
out  of  his  house  Sacrament  day.  He  said  the  money  was  in  his  desk.  They 
first  went  to  the  front  window  and  tried  to  get  in  and  worked  the  nail 
down  in  the  hole  and  then  they  went  to  one  of  the  square  room  win- 
dows and  got  in.  They  did  not  notice  it  until  Sarah  went  to  the  window 
and  found  the  curtain  string  broke  and  then  he  looked  and  found  the 
money  gone.  They  have  not  yet  found  who  it  was. 

James  Dobbin  and  Catherine  Campbell  rode  out  to  meeting  Sacra- 
ment day.  They  had  an  elegant  horse  and  wagon  and  some  called  them 
bride  and  groom.  They  looked  very  smart.  James  Hill  married  Hugh 
Martin's  sister  Nancy  and  James  McEachron  was  married  last  week  to 
Miss  Sarah  Stott.  They  made  their  appearance  last  Sabbath  day.  Mr 
Wells  married  Miss  Ann  Eliza  Johnson  about  two  weeks  ago  (the  one 
that  was  to  be  married  to  her  cousin  Sarah  Johnson  that  died). 

On  the  4th  of  July  they  had  a  choir.  I  could  not  tell  you  all  of  the 
names  of  those  that  sung.  I  was  not  acquainted  with  any  of  them.  They 
sung  beautiful  cold  water  songs.  Uncle  Boyd's  folks  and  us  went 
together.  They  had  6  long  tables,  60  could  eat  at  one  table.  They  got 
dissapointed  in  their  speakers.  One  of  them  had  a  death  in  his  family, 
the  other  was  very  sick.  They  intended  to  have  Gillet  of  Philadelphia. 
He  was  sick  himself  and  Beamen  had  a  death  in  his  family.  Mr.  William 
Russell  read  the  revolutionary  address  and  Mr  Pritchet  of  Union  Vil- 
lage gave  them  an  address.  He  was  very  smart..  He  came  unprepared 
but  he  spoke  well.  He  gave  them  a  very  short  address  in  the  bower 
which  was  better  than  the  church  ( ? )  He  drank  toasts.  There  was  the 
greatest  Huzaing  about  ever  I  heard.  The  tables  were  set  very  tasty 
and  in  nice  style.  Mr.  Halley's  congregation  had  a  fair  in  their  church 
yard.  They  were  a  great  many,  the  most  at  the  temperance  dinner  than 
there  was  at  the  fair. 

Mother  has  just  started  for  to  go  to  Rev.  Millers.  Mrs  Miller  is 
very  sick,  they  have  not  much  hopes  of  her  getting  well.  Mr  Miller 
did  not  preach  but  one  sermon  Sabboth  day.  She  looks  very  miserable. 
We  called  there  last  Saturday  when  we  was  coming  home  from  cateciz- 
ing.  We  could  not  talk  to  her  because  she  cannot  talk  to  anybody  but 

259 


APPENDIX 

the  doctor.  Mr  Miller  told  her  who  we  was,  she  did  not  mind  it  much. 
Jennet  Lendrum  came  here  Thursday  night  fast  day  and  stayed  until 
Saturday.  She  is  a  very  pleasant  girl.  Friday  forenoon  we  went  over 
to  uncle  Boyd's  and  took  dinner.  Towards  night  we  went  and  took  a 
sail  on  the  big  lake.  Brother  Moses,  John  Boyd  and  Mary  &  Helen 
Dunlap  and  Martin,  Jane,  Jennet  and  I.  We  had  two  boats,  Mr.  Dun- 
lap's  and  Uncle  John  McEachron's  boat.  Agnes  I  wish  that  you  had 
been  here  with  us  to  enjoy  that  pleasant  sail. 

Your  cousin  Isabel  Beveridge  is  a  learning  the  Milleners  trade  with 
Miss  Mc  Allister.  I  saw  her  when  I  was  at  Salem.  She  is  well.  All  your 
relations  are  well  that  I  know  of.  Miss  Wheaton  was  sick  with  the 
inflamation  of  the  lungs.  There  was  a  vacation  2  or  3  weeks  and  she 
was  not  able  to  teach  and  they  hired  Barbara  Alexander.  The  girls  like 
her  very  much. 

I  have  tried  to  write  all  the  news  but  I  dont  know  as  you  will  want 
to  give  sixpence  for  such  a  letter,  but  you  must  excuse  all  mistakes  as 
it  is  from  your  friend  Eleanor.  Our  people  are  all  well.  We  send  our 
love  and  best  respects  to  Mrs  Beveridge,  Isabel  and  Ellen  Ann  and  you 
in  particular.  Mary  Boyd  received  the  papers  that  you  sent  her,  she  sends 
her  love  and  best  respects  to  you.  I  send  my  love  and  best  respects  too 
you  all :  write  soon  as  possible.  Eleanor  Pratt. 

Agnes  Beveridge, 

Moses  sends  his  best  respects  to  John  and  all  of  you.  Alexander  and 
Martha  Patten  is  now  attending  school  in  Argyle.  Aunt  Lydia  Pratt  is 
here  and  sends  her  love.  We  had  a  very  hard  thunderstorm  here  this 
afternoon.  I  want  you  to  tell  me  when  you  write,  all  about  how  you 
like  the  folks  out  there  and  all  about  it.  Elizabeth  sends  her  love  and 
best  respects  to  you  all.  Agnes  if  this  is  not  a  full  letter  I  say  no  more 
about  it.  This  letter  is  so  full  that  I  can  hardly  get  a  place  for  any  more. 
Sisters  Sarah  M.,  Mary  and  Emily  send  their  love  to  you  all.  We  had 
a  very  hard  thunder  shower  here  last  week,  about  as  hard  a  one  as  I 
ever  saw  and  the  hardest  clap  of  thunder,  two  or  three  ever  I  heard. 
It  struck  a  tree  in  our  woods  and  tore  it  all  in  pieces. 

To  Miss  Agnes  Beveridge,  Somonauk,  Illinois. 

(Postmarked:  Lake,  July  8.     Received  July  25.     Cost  25c.) 

//.  Miss  Eleanor  Crawford  Pratt  to  Miss  Agnes  Beveridge. 

My  Dear  Friend.  March  25   1843. 

I  received  your  letter  the  fore  part  of  December  and  was  truly  glad 
to  hear  from  you.  I  have  neglected  writing  to  you  until  today.  I  thought 
I  would  not  write  until  after  examination  so  as  to  tell  you  the  proceed- 
ings of  that  day. 

I  attended  school  this  winter.  George  D.  Stewart  was  our  teacher.  I 
studied  Grammer,  Comstocks  philosophy,  Watts,  Town's  analysis  and 
Town's  Spelling  Book.  We  had  to  learn  definitions  and  they  were  quite 

260 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

hard  to  learn.  Hamilton  Robertson  boarded  at  William  Henry's  this 
winter  and  went  to  school  about  5  or  6  weeks.  He  studied  Arithmetic, 
Grammer,  philosophy  and  read  in  Virgil.  Alvira  studied  Latin  Gram- 
mer,  they  recited  yesterday.  I  will  now  begin  to  tell  you  about  the  exam- 
ination. 

1,  The  way  the  school  house  was  trimmed.  The  window  on  the  stage 
had  a  white  curtain  with  little  twigs  of  hemlock  fixed  together  like 
evergreen  hung  all  the  way  down  the  curtain  and  branches  of  bushes 
round  all  the  windows.  I  will  not  have  time  and  room  to  tell  you  all 
about  how  they  are  fixed. 

Our  school  closed  on  Friday.  Thursday  it  snowed  all  day  and  night 
until  yesterday  noon  the  sun  shone  very  bright  in  the  afternoon.  The 
snow  is  3  or  4  foot  deep,  10  or  11  some  places.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Henley 
visited  our  school  in  the  afternoon.  He  questioned  us  an  considerable. 
Lydia  and  I  read  together,  L  on  our  Creator,  mine  on  Selfishness :  Jane, 
Mary  and  Alvina  read  together,  Mary's  on  Education,  Janes  on  the 
close  of  school,  Alvira's  on  The  Shortness  of  Life.  Jane  Tane  and 
Sarah  McDougall,  Mandy  Mary  and  I  repeated  poetry.  We  had  speak- 
ing. After  we  got  through  Mr.  Henley  got  up  and  spoke  and  made  a 
very  able  prayer.  The  scholars  went  with  2  four-horse  teams  down  to 
the  meeting  house  at  Lakeville  (Cossayuna)  and  had  a  lecture  by  the 
Rev.  Mr  Henley  on  the  value  of  wisdom.  It  was  a  beautiful  lecture. 
The  church  was  full  every  seat.  William  Brown  drove  one  team  and 
James  McEachron  the  other. 

David  Law  and  Margaret  Ann  Robertson  was  Married  in  February. 
John  Robertson  and  Mary  Alexander  was  married  two  weeks  ago  Thurs- 
day. Stewart  attended  the  wedding.  I  had  some  of  the  brides  Cake,  it 
was  very  nice.  John  and  his  wife  and  Barbara  were  to  examination  yes- 
terday. They  went  to  the  lecture  and  stepped  in  in  very  nice  style.  They 
have  not  yet  made  their  appearance  to  our  meeting,  I  expect  they  will 
tomorrow.  O!  I  wish  you  much  joy  with  your  new  cousin.  The  Groom 
called  here  today. 

Samuel  McEachron  and  Sarah  Beaty  was  married  the  last  of  February. 
William  Sanders  and  Jane  Bain  was  married  in  Jan.,  Alexander  Mc- 
Eachron was  married  to  Nancy  McGeoch  in  December !  Mr.  Alexander 
Shaw  died  on  Thursday  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  was  buried  today 
and  the  Girl's  father  and  (brother)  Moses  went  to  the  funeral  and  have 
just  got  home.  He  was  to  meeting  last  sabbath  and  looked  smart.  Tues- 
day morning  was  struck  with  the  num  palsey  and  was  speechless.  This 
shows  us  the  necessity  of  preparing  for  death,  for  we  know  not  how  soon 
we  shall  die  and  appear  before  the  judgement  seat  of  Christ. 

There  has  been  quite  a  revival  at  Lakeville,  1 8  was  babtized  one  sab- 
bath and  6  the  next.  I  suppose  you  would  like  to  know  who  they  were. 
Harvey,  Isaac  and  Alvira  Hanks,  Luther  and  Lydia  Brown,  Charles 
Coon,  Mary  and  Silas  Brand,  Texter  &  Earleville  Wilber  and  Mary 
Tanner,  David  Andrew  and  Amandy  Watson,  John  and  Eliza  Clark, 

261 


APPENDIX 

Mary  Marth  and  Emily  Tucker  and  Harvey  Granger  and  a  few  more 
I  dont  know.  Eliza  Williams  was  one.  Samuel  Mathias,  Mary  Ann  Clark 
was  married  one  evening  after  meeting  in  the  meeting  house.  I  have 
heard  nothing  about  Catherine  Campbell  James  Dobbin  this  winter. 
They  are  not  married.  Naomi  Campbell  is  so  she  goes  about  the  house. 
She  was  up  to  Jared's  and  stayed  a  week  in  February,  she  has  not  been 
to  meeting  yet. 

Sarah  McNaughton  told  me  to  send  her  love  to  you,  and  tell  you  they 
was  a  coming  out  there  the  1st  of  June  and  perhaps  call  on  you.  We 
attended  the  singing  school  2  weeks  a  Tuesday  evening  and  there  was 
none  at  Black  Creek.  Coming  home,  Mary  Boyd  was  a  driving  and  tipped 
us  over  in  front  of  Mr  McClellands.  It  was  drifted  a  little  there.  I  must 
leave  a  place  for  mother  to  write. 

I  will  have  to  fill  this  space  out.  [Brother]  Moses  is  sick,  he  is  not 
able  to  set  up  much  and  mother  has  him  to  wait  on.  He  was  taken  sick 
Monday.  We  have  had  a  writing  school  here,  Mr  Barber  taught  it.  I 
did  not  attend  but  I  think  I  need  to  attend  a  writing  school  or  some 
place  to  learn  to  write.  I  presume  you  have  heard  of  Mr  Stewart's  mar- 
riage, I  have  not  seen  his  wife  yet.  Uncle  Boyd's  and  us  visited  Mr 
Lendrum's  last  winter,  we  had  a  very  pleasant  visit.  I  attended  Mr  Mil- 
ler's donation  party  liked  it  very  much.  Daniel  McDougall  chorister 
had  a  singing  school  in  the  meeting  house  this  winter.  I  attended  2  eve- 
nings. The  last  evening  he  scolded  us  for  making  noise.  He  said  this  was 
the  last  singing  school  he  should  ever  teach  and  so  on.  Good  evening. 

Daniel  Terry  sends  his  love  to  you  all.  Old  Mrs  Conklin  is  dead. 
James  Bartlett  and  Deacon  Johnson  of  Cambridge  are  dead.  The  girls 
visited  to  Mr  McNeil's  this  week,  Mr  Robertson's  last  week.  Both 
Familys  well.  Sarah  Maria  says  tell  Thomas  she  thinks  that  Ann  Eliza 
will  be  much  improved  by  the  time  he  comes  for  her.  We  have  had  the 
mumps  this  winter.  Margaret  is  sick  with  them  now.  Mary  Ann  Hall 
has  been  attending  school  in  Cambridge  this  winter,  went  2  terms. 
Margaret  Hay  was  married  to  Mr  Wallace  &  Miss  Jane  Wallace  was 
married  to  Mr.  Whitam  of  Vermont,  this  winter.  Mr  Cowans  has  moved 
to  Salem,  and  is  keeping  a  tavern.  No  one  occupies  his  house  now.  There 
was  not  but  two  or  3  from  Carterstreet  to  examination  j  they  were 
boys.  Mary  Dunlap  is  in  Princeton  and  is  almost  perfectly  happy.  She 
went  last  fall.  She  is  a  Sabbath  School  teacher,  a  tract  distributor,  and 
enjoys  the  advantages  of  the  best  Society.  Mr.  Hanks  people  received  a 
letter  from  Mary  this  week  and  she  is  enjoying  life  very  much.  Sarah 
Maria  sent  a  paper  to  Thomas  not  long  since.  Mary  Boyd  sends  her 
love  to  you  and  wants  to  know  whether  you  have  received  the  paper  she 
sent  you.  Sister  June  got  a  letter  from  Jane  McKallor.  She  is  well  and 
had  received  a  letter  from  you.  Examination  day  we  thought  of  you 
and  wished  you  were  here  to  particapate  with  us  in  our  happiness.  Martha 
Patten  sends  her  love  to  you.  Helen  Dunlap  sends  hers  also.  Lydia  Brown 
Alvira  Hanks  and  Lis.  I  dont  know  how  many  more.  They  are  too 
numerous  to  mention. 

262 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

Uncle  William  Hutchens  is  going  to  move  away,  they  do  not  know 
where.  There  is  more  going  away.  What  will  we  do?  Jane  sent  a  paper 
to  you  last  fall  and  the  compliment  has  never  been  returned.  Write  as 
soon  as  you  receive  this  and  tell  me  all  about  how  you  like  it  and  have 
you  been  attending  school  this  winter  or  not  and  tell  me  all  about  Mar- 
garet Walls  &  James  Walker  if  they  are  married,  but  I  heard  they  was 
married  in  Saratoga,  about  John  Walker  and  his  wife.  I  serd  my  best 
love  and  respects  to  Margaret,  her  people  are  all  well  as  far  as  I  know. 
Tell  me  whether  you  have  cherries,  plumbs  and  strawberrys,  black  caps 
or  what  kind  of  berrys  you  have.  Write  soon.  We  send  our  love  to  you 
all,  Mrs  B  J.  .  .  .  in  particular.  My  best  respects  to  you  all  with  much, 
much  love  A.  Beveridge  j?    Pratt 

Addressed:  Miss  Agnes  Beveridge,  Somanauk,  Illinois 
Lake  N.Y.  March  3  1 
Received  April  21    1843 

Poem* 

This  is  the  place  where  oft  we  have  played 

In  childhood's  happy  hours 
With  our  companions  we  have  strayed 

And  culled  many  beautiful  flowers 

The  fields  and  woods  have  rung  with  many  a  laugh 

From  minds  that  were  free  from  care 
Then  sweetly  did  each  minute  pass 

Our  troubles  then  never  caused  a  tear. 

But  alas  those  happy  hours  have  fled 

Never,  never  more  to  return 
And  many  of  my  companions  now  are  gone 

And  I  am  here  their  loss  to  mourn 

Others  have  gone  far  far  away 

The  thorny  path  of  life  to  tread 
O  may  they  never  from  the  paths  of  virtue  stray 

Or  live  unmindful  of  their  God. 

Time  has  sadly  all  things  changed, 

Changed  Childhood  into  Youth 
And  our  youthful  days  will  soon  be  told 

Like  a  short  lived  tale  of  truth 

And  thou  dost  tell  how  from  the  heart 

The  bloom  of  hope  and  youth  decay 
How  each  one  lingers  loth  to  part 

Until  all  all  are  swept  away. 

*The  above  verses  occupy  one  page  of  the  foregoing  letter  and  may  possibly  be 
original  with  Eleanor  Pratt,  reflecting  her  loneliness  as  one  after  another  of  her  young 
friends  left  Cossayuna. 

263 


APPENDIX 

///.  Miss  Elizabeth  [Miller]  to  Miss  Agnes  Beveridge. 
My  dear  friend  Agnes,  South  Argyle  Oct  12th  1844 

I  love  punctuality.  I  received  your  letter  Thursday  and  I  will  answer 
it  Saturday.  Father  told  me  yesterday  that  a  Mr  Weaver  intended  to 
start  for  Somonauk  next  Monday  and  as  you  have  been  so  kind  as  to 
send  yours  to  me  free  of  postage,  I  will  do  the  same.  Father  arrived 
home  day  before  yesterday  (Thursday).  He  was  pretty  well,  but  has 
been  sick  since  he  left  your  house.  He  had  an  attack  of  fever  and  ague 
which  kept  him  shaking  every  other  day  for  a  week  till  he  got  the  fever 
broke  when  he  arrived  at  my  uncle's;  as  much  in  need  of  rest  and  atten- 
tion as  you  can  imagine.  There  he  remained  a  week  'till  he  recruited 
up  when  he  started  for  home  and  arrived  here  nearly  as  well  as  when 
he  went  away  excepting  a  little  of  the  flesh  the  shakes  took  away. 

I  am  sorry  to  hear  that  so  many  of  your  Somonauk  people  are  sick. 
I  am  afraid  it  is  a  sickly  place.  How  queer  it  would  look  to  see  wagons 
driven  by  oxen!  I  would  think  it  would  be  a  long  time  before  you 
would  get  used  to  the  log  houses  and  horned  horses  of  the  west.  I  sup- 
pose you  have  heard  of  the  death  of  Mrs  Bachop,  John  Shaw  &  c.  Little 
Mary  died  in  six  weeks  after  her  mother  of  putrid  sore  throat,  which 
is  very  prevalent  here.  My  sister  Mary  had  a  slight  attack.  So  you  see 
it  is  as  sickly  here  as  with  you. 

Are  there  any  Liberty  party  men  or  voting  Abolitionists  in  your  part 
of  the  world?  That  party  is  coming  on  with  rapid  strides  in  the  east. 
I  have  been  at  school  all  summer.  We  have  an  excellent  school  in  Cam- 
bridge. The  last  term  I  was  there  we  had  nearly  a  hundred  scholars. 
We  were  very  glad  to  hear  that  your  own  family  were  well  as  also  our 
friends  in  Bloomington.  It  seems  so  long  since  you  went  away.  I  have 
been  going  to  Mr  Pratt's  this  long  time  but  have  not  got  there  yet.  Jane 
was  well  a  short  time  ago.  Jane  McKellor  is  well,  She  is  not  going  back 
to  school  again.  Mary  cant  spare  her  since  Amanda  has  married.  I  sup- 
pose you've  heard  that  Catherine  Campbell  and  James  Dobbin  were 
married.  The  Miss  Armstrongs,  Halls  and  all  your  old  friends  are  well 
I  believe.  Are  you  going  to  come  back  if  Thomas  comes  this  fall?  We 
would  all  be  very  glad  to  see  you  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  you  would 
be  glad  to  see  Washington  County  again.  But  Mother  wants  to  write  a 
littel  to  your  mother  so  Good  bye  Yours  ever 

Elizabeth. 

Mrs.  Amanda  [Miller]  to  Mrs.  George  Beveridge. 
My  dear  Mrs.  Beveridge  Saturday. 

Elizabeth  has  left  me  room  to  write  a  few  lines  &  I  will  say  some- 
thing tho  I  have  just  been  washing  up  Mr  M's  clothes  &  my  hands  are 
stiffer  than  usual.  E.  has  informed  you  that  through  the  good  providence 
of  God  Mr.  M.  has  returned  in  safty  on  Thursday.  The  first  thing  he  had 
to  do  was  to  attend  Mary  Bachop's  funeral  on  Saturday.   She  was  an 

264 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

intelligent  child  &  her  aunt  Mary  Henry  feels  the  loss  very  sensibly. 
Mrs.  T.  Bev(eridge)  your  sister  has  had  rather  poor  health  but  is  better, 
you  will  probably  hear  from  her.  I  saw  Mr  and  Mrs  Patterson  from 
Putnam  at  the  Hebron  Sacrament.  They  were  well.  Mr  P,  &  Mr  Hutton 
were  delegates  to  Presbytery  to  ask  for  a  moderation  of  a  call  they  intend 
to  call  Mr  Fisher  I  believe.  Mr  Patterson  is  a  rather  better  looking 
man  than  I  ever  saw  from  Putnam.  Yet  Aunt  Ann  will  not  fcrgive  Jen- 
net for  marrying  him.  Mr  and  Mrs  Cummings  were  at  the  sac(rament) 
in  Hebron  &  were  well.  You  will  probably  have  heard  that  the  Cam- 
bridge church  case  has  been  decided  in  our  favor.  It  is  not  yet  known 
whether  the  Dr's  people  will  appeal.  We  had  a  fine  liberty  meeting  at 
Union  Village  on  tuesday  of  this  week.  If  some  of  our  ministers  had 
been  there  it  might  have  done  them  good  —  but  the  very  ones  that  need 
it  most  are  the  most  backward  to  attend.  At  the  Hebron  sac(rament) 
which  I  attended  a  fortnight  since  you  could  not  have  told  from  any 
prayer  that  was  offered  up  that  there  were  any  persons  in  the  world 
besides  those  in  the  meeting  house.  Not  a  prayer  for  the  extenson  of 
Christ's  Kingdom — not  one  short  prayer  for  the  down  trodden  Slave  of 
this  country — by  either  Anderson  or  Reid.  Is  it  any  wonder  the  people 
are  ignorant  of  their  duty  on  this  subject  when  their  teachers  are  so 
deficient  in  their  own  duty?  I  have  little  doubt  in  my  own  mind  that 
the  reason  Mr  Anderson  opposed  Mr  Fisher's  being  settled  in  Salem  was 
that  he  could  not  bear  to  have  any  one  near  him  who  would  open  their 
mouth  in  the  cause  of  the  dumb  as  that  reproved  his  conduct. 

Mr  Miller  (?)  said  you  had  some  hopes  of  visiting  your  native  land 
next  Spring.  We  will  all  be  glad  to  see  you,  I  am  sure.  Of  course  your 
daughter  must  be  particularly  so.  I  spoke  to  James  H.  yesterday  at  the 
funeral — they  talk  of  calling  the  little  boy  John.  We  will  never  forget 
your  kindness  to  Mr  M.  when  at  your  house.  I  hope  and  believe  the 
blessings  of  many  ready  to  perish  will  rest  upon  you  &  particularly  that 
you  will  be  blessed  by  the  God  of  the  poor  and  the  needy. 
Addressed  to  Amanda. 

Miss  Agnes  Beveridge  [Mrs.  J.  P.  Miller] 

Favored  by  Somonauk 

Mr  Weaver  Illinois. 

Post  marked  Milwaukee,  Wis.  Oct.  29. 

IV.  Nesbett  to  Miss  Agnes  Beveridge. 

Sweetest,  Lovliest  Ag 

It  is  with  a  great  degree  of  indicatory  reconciliation  that  I  address 
these  few  lines  to  you.  I  was  disappointed  at  not  getting  over  to  your 
house  yesterday  but  it  could  not  be  helped.  Our  people  are  all  gaining 
quite  fast.  Ma's  mouth  is  very  sore  yet,  it  does  not  appear  to  get  much 
better.  I  heard  that  they  wanted  me  back  to  my  school.  I  will  try  and  get 
down  there  this  week  to  see  about  it  and  unless  they  are  very  anxious  to 

265 


APPENDIX 

have  me  commence  again,  I  shall  not,  for  I  would  rather  be  at  home 
lonesome  as  it  is,  and  I  am  afraid  if  I  go  that  Mother  will  have  so  much 
to  do  that  it  will  bring  on  the  fever  again,  for  she  is  not  very  strong. 
Alex  thinks  that  he  can  go  over  to  Walker's  better  this  week  than  any 
other  as  the  thrashers  will  not  be  here,  I  do  not  think  we  will  go  to- 
morrow but  you  may  look  for  us  any  day  after  that,  I  intend  to  stay 
and  go  down  to  see  Rebecca.  Give  my  best  respects  to  all.  Tell  the  Doctor 
that  I  have  not  got  over  being  mad  yet  and  do  not  think  I  shall  soon, 
any  body  that  will  tell  such  an  infamous  story  about  me  I  cannot  forgive. 
I  hope  I  shall  see  you  before  many  days  and  then  I  will  tell  you  lots, 
but  I  have  neither  time  nor  room. 

I  feel  very  solomcholly  from  your  sincere  friend 

Nesbett. 

(Adressed:  Miss  Agnes  Beveridge,  Somonauk.) 

V.   Andrew  M.  Beveridge,  D.D.,  to  his  Sister,  Agnes  Beveridge. 

_-    ^        c.  Princeton  (N.  J.)  March  5th  1847 

My  Dear  Sister:  v       J 

Were  it  required  to  tell  from  which  of  us  a  letter  was  due,  it  would 
puzzle  to  give  an  answer.  But  is  it  not  you,  that  is  in  debt  to  me  as  much 
as  one  good  long  letter?  I  trow  that  such  is  the  state  of  things.  If  so, 
why  are  you  so  silent?  Have  you  lost  the  use  of  your  hands?  Have  you 
forgotten  that  "Uncle  Sam"  is  traveling  back  and  forth  from  the  "far 
West"  to  the  old  blue  Atlantic?  always  accoutered  with  his  secret  bag 
carrying  and  recarrying  the  thoughts  and  sentiments  of  friends,  lovers 
&  c?  Or  has  your  maidenish  fancy  become  so  exceeding  fastidious  that 
you  question  the  propriety  of  holding  a  correspondence  with  a  "Gen- 
tleman"? Forsooth  other  affections,  other  friends,  new  loves  have 
started  up  into  being — pushed  back — thrust  out — overwhelmed  and 
completely  annihilated  past  remembrances  and  insinuating  them- 
selves so  intimately  and  interwaving  themselves  so  thoroughly  through 
every  fibre  nook  and  corner  of  your  heart,  that  now  you  live  and  love 
only  in  the  bright  beams  of  their  sunlight. 

But  Agnes  throw  off  these  fastidious  notions,  if  you  have  them,  dont 
become  wholly  absorbed  with  new  acquaintances  &c,  resolve  yourself 
back  into  your  old  relation,  write  to  your  brother  and  let  him  read  who 
you  are,  where  you  are,  what  you  are,  and  if  you  please,  what  or  whom 
you  intend  to  be,  for  I  find  that  after  an  absence  of  some  half-dozen 
yrs.  it  puts  me  to  a  stand  to  know  just  how  to  address  or  where  to  place 
you.  When  I  last  saw  you,  you  were  but  a  "young  lass"  and  therefore 
when  now  I  sit  down  to  write  you,  I  think  naturally  of  you  as  you  were 
some  5  or  6  yrs  ago,  or  my  mind  must  run  over  this  long  period  and 
picture  the  changes  which  must  have  taken  place  and  finally,  after  all 
I  scarcely  know  where  to  reach  or  find  you,  whether  in  the  expanding 
bud  or  fully  developed  flower.  But  you  may  say  that  you  also  are  laboring 

266 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

under  a  similar  difficulty.  To  remove  from  you  all  embarrassment  on 
that  score,  I  will  with  your  permission  Ag,  give  you  some  idea  of  this 
wondrous  person,  whom  I  usually  call  myself '. 

As  for  height  of  course  I  am  no  bigger  than  I  was  Yz  a  dozen  yrs. 
agone — nor  am  I  heavier — nor  better  looking — my  color  is  of  the  same 
true  unchanging  hue — my  face  is  partially  covered  with  a  philosophical 
beard — my  hair  of  the  pepper  and  salt  cast — nose  still  sr.ubby — my 
whole  figure  probably  more  erect — my  strength  and  capability  of  en- 
durance lessened.  Age  and  care  have  left  there  marring  touch,  wrinkles 
&  c,  so  that  now,  let  me  take  a  squint  at  the  mirror.  Ah !  yes,  Alas !  very 
true  in  appearance  at  least,  I  may  be  safely  laid  upon  the  shelf,  with 
that  odious  class  of  human  beings — sometimes,  truly  not  invidiously, 
styled  "Old  Bachelors" — Yes  Alas!  such  is  the  lamentable  fact.  Recol- 
lect then  that  it  is  an  old  dry  Knotty  Bachelor  that  is  addressing  you, 
with  an  Old  Bachelor's  freedom,  or  impudence  if  you  please,  and  dont 
therefore  make  wry  faces  nor  turn  up  your  nose  at  my  privileged  blunt- 
ness,  nor  declare  upon  your  faith  and  honor  that  you  will  "cut"  my 
acquaintance  for  such  a  miserable  and  inevitable  fortune  as  has  befell 
me  for  I  can't  remove  back  one  degree  the  shadow  upon  the  dial.  There 
is  no  stopping  the  wheels  of  time — day  will  succeed  night  and  night  day. 
I  must  go  on  with  the  moving  crowd — I  must  grow  old — time  and  labor 
will  have  their  effect.  Moreover  this  age  if  characterized  by  wisdom 
(  a  superabundance  of  wh,  this  letter  evinces)  is  not  dishonorable.  "Not 
honorable"?  Why  not?  How  more  so?  "Marry"?  Pshaw!  How  can  I 
when  I  cannot.  "But  you  can."  Ha,  ha,  ha,  Who  will  have  me?  Where 
is  she?  have  me? — an  old  Bachelor,  a  dry,  scathed  and  riven  old  trunk — 
who  will  love — (what  a  word  for  an  old  man  to  use)  &c  &c.  Well  I 
will  try  to  follow  your  suggestion — Sometime — .  I  will  have  a  w-i-f-e. 
I  will  present  you  with  a  new  Sister.  Heh,  how  supremely  rediculous  the 
idea — what  hallucination !  But  then  I  must  bestir  myself  if  such  be  the 
case — keep  my  peepers  fully  dilated — draw  fine  sight  on  all  the  pretty 
girls  (for  let  me  assure  that  I  will  never  have  an  Old  Maid,  Oh  no!) 
that  cross  my  path.  One,  the  best,  the  very  best,  if  she  be  gettable,  I  will 
lay  hands  (not  violent,  of  course)  upon  and  triumphantly  lead  her 
away  captive  to  my  home  and  there  feed  and  fat — no — (I  wish  I  had 
lovers  vocabulary  better  committed)  but  as  the  young  man  would  say, 
protect  and  cherish  and  love  her,  and  myself  feed  upon — upon — upon — 
her  enrapturing  beauty  (these  old  eyes  can  yet  see  by  the  aid  of  concaves) 
and  sip  with  intoxicated  happiness  the  honied  nectar  that  bedews  her 
ruby  lips.  By  the  way  why  dont  that  oldest  brother  of  ours  "go  it." 
Stir  him  up  to  his  duty. 

Enough  of  this  for  one  time  and  more  than  enough.  I  will  try  to  im- 
prove next  time.  My  time  is  spent  here  quite  agreeably  and  I  hope 
profitably.  I  shall  remain  here,  it  is  probable  about  six  weeks  more — the 
summer  more  than  likely  will  be  passed  in  Old  Washington  Co.  some- 
where. My  quarters  here,  and  that  is  my  room,  is  very  agreeable,  as 

267 


APPENDIX 

also  my  roommate.  I  occasionally  hear  from  the  north  and  from  Ten- 
nessee but  have  nothing  of  special  importance  to  communicate.  Remem- 
ber me  to  all  relatives  and  friends  and  write  me  soon — if  not  within 
the  six  weeks — direct  to  Cambridge,  Wash.  Co.,  N.  Y. 
Your  affectionate  Brother 

A.  M  B 

LETTERS  OF  ALEXANDER  R.  PATTEN 
AND  MARTHA  PATTEN 

/.  Miss  Martha  N.  Patten  of  East  Greenwich,  New  York,  age  seven- 
teen, to  her  brother,  William  Patten,  of  Somonauk,  Illinois. 

William:  l>n-  23>   18441 

Well,  I  suppose  by  this  time  that  you  are  thinking  that  we  have  for- 
gotten you  or  that  we  have  grown  careless. 

I  acknowledge  you  may  accuse  us  of  the  latter  and  not  be  very  far  out 
of  the  way  either.  We  have  all  been  sick  but  are  quite  well  now.  There 
has  been  much  sickness  about  here  lately,  there  is  scarcely  a  family  but 
has  had  more  or  less  of  it. 

I  was  quite  sick,  they  thought  I  was  taking  the  fever,  but  we  found 
it  was  the  same  disease  prevalent  in  the  neighborhood. 

The  Doctor  said  it  was  the  influenza,  accompanied  with  an  innama- 
tion,  usually  settling  on  the  lungs.  They  gave  me  Tomato  pills.  I  never 
had  anything  do  me  so  much  good  in  my  life.  It  drove  the  inflamation 
out  of  my  blood  and  it  settled  just  above  my  ankles.  The  Doctor  said 
it  was  well  for  me  it  was  there.  I  was  very  lame  for  two  weeks  but  was 
satisfied,  it  was  better  there  than  on  my  lungs. 

I  have  been  gaining  fast  for  the  past  week  and  am  now  about  as  thin 
as  you  were  when  you  first  came  home  last  fall.  I  suppose  you  remember 
how  you  looked  then. 

Some  of  the  neighbors  will  have  it  that  the  thoughts  of  going  west 
in  the  spring  is  wearing  on  my  constitution  but  I  think  they  are  mistaken. 
I  am  there  half  of  the  time  in  my  imagination. 

Mother  and  Roxy  (Washburn)  were  both  sick  but  soon  got  better. 
Deacon  Henry  and  Elizabeth  were  both  very  ill,  the  inflamation  settled 
on  their  lungs.  Mary  Hanks  has  been  very  sick  with  the  same  disease. 

I  called  to  see  them  the  day  Eleanor  Pratt  was  buried. 

Thomas  Beveridge's  wife  has  also  been  very  sick  but  is  now  better. 

Uncle  Archie  Robertson's  are  all  well  except  Aunt  Anna.  She  has  had 
very  poor  health  this  winter. 

They  think  she  is  gaining  but  so  slowly,  they  can  scarcely  perceive 
any  difference  from  week  to  week.  Jennet  (Robertson)  has  gone  to 
keeping  house.  John  (Robertson)  is  living  with  his  brother  Thomas  this 
winter.  I  suppose  he  is  going  to  learn  the  trade. 

268 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

Isaac  Shaw's  wife  is  much  better  so  that  they  are  getting  along  with- 
out a  girl,  but  he  is  as  good  as  half  the  hired  girls. 

Mrs.  Cook  is  quite  well.  Frances  and  Lorenzo  have  gone  to  Albany. 
Thomas  is  going  to  school  this  winter.  Robert  has  quite  a  good  school, 
the  most  of  the  large  girls  attend. 

The  young  men  have  a  great  debating  school  once  a  week.  I  went 
down  to  hear  them  Thursday  night,  there  were  some  ver,  weighty 
arguments  brought  up  and  I  thought  the  majority  of  them  did  very  well 
considering. 

They  have  had  two  lectures  at  Lakeville  on  animal  magnatism.  The 
gentleman  who  lectured  magnatized  a  fellow  who  came  with  him.  He 
made  him  talk  and  sing.  They  would  set  things  and  hold  behind  him 
and  he  would  tell  them  what  they  were  but  they  would  have  to  hold 
them  where  the  magnetizer  could  see  them. 

There  has  been  two  or  three  magnatized  here  since.  Mr  N.  Dyre  has 
been  magnatized  three  times,  the  first  time  by  Dr  Mack  and  then  by 
Samuel  Matthews.  Sidney  Matthews  magnatized  McNaughton,  h© 
touched  the  bumps  of  mirth  and  music  and  he  began  singing  Rosa  O 
More.  John  Dobbin  put  one  or  two  sound  asleep.  They  are  beginning 
to  have  much  faith  in  it  around  here. 

They  tell  me  that  I  would  make  a  good  subject  but  I  think  it  will  be 
after  this  when  I  allow  myself  to  be  magnetized. 

Mr  Harsha,  our  teacher,  has  a  fine  school.  They  all  met  last  night  at 
5  oclock  at  North  Argyle.  There  was  a  Mr  Mason  who  had  two  schools, 
that  met  with  them.  I  was  there  and  we  had  some  excellent  singing. 
There  were  so  many  the  singers  were  all  up  in  the  gallery  and  the  spec- 
tators below,  it  no  doubt  sounded  much  better  to  them  than  it  did  to  us. 

To  prevent  a  rush  among  the  crowd  during  recess,  they  had  the 
minister  Rev.  J.  Harsha  to  address  them.  He  complimented  them  very 
highly,  I  thought  it  bordered  on  soft  soap.  We  had  a  delightful  time 
while  there,  but  Oh  dear! — stop — I  shall  not  say  a  word  about  our  ter- 
rible cold  ride  home  for  fear  you  will  think  we  paid  too  dear  for  our 
whistle. 

They  think  of  having  a  concert  (this  last  was  only  a  meeting  of  the 
schools  to  learn  to  sing  together)  towards  spring  in  the  church  in  Argyle. 
I  expect  that  will  be  something  smart. 

William  McDougall  and  wife  have  gone  back  to  Tennessee.  Jane  Ann 
(McDougall)  is  married.  Uncle  John  Bishop  and  Aunt  Mary  have  been 
here  to  make  us  a  visit. 

You  spoke  in  your  letter  about  our  shanties.  I  was  well  pleased  with 
the  plan.  I  found  no  fault  with  any  of  it.  I  soon  had  things  straightened. 
I  was  the  longest  finding  a  place  solid  enough  on  the  clapboards  for  the 
clock,  but  a  few  moments  of  planning  made  things  all  right,  but  in 
your  letter  to  Elizabeth  you  say  you  are  going  to  build  a  log  house. 

Well,  never  mind,  it  did  not  take  me  more  than  a  minute  to  tear  down 
the  shanties  (I  don't  believe  in  letting  old  houses  stand  to  rot  down) 

269 


APPENDIX 

and  put  up  a  log  one.  What  care  I  whether  the  house  is  built  of  slabs, 
sods,  logs  or  anything  else  (excepting  rattlesnakes)  sweet  contentment 
is  what  I  desire. 

James  Dobbin  and  Henry  Rogers  talk  of  going  out  with  us  in  the 
spring  and  William  Henry  also  talks  of  going. 

We  rather  expect  Robert  (Patten)  home  next  week  and  then  have 
matters  and  things  talked  over.  Elizabeth  came  here  last  night  and  will 
go  to  meeting  with  us  tomorrow  and  then  home. 

We  laughed  about  your  charges  not  to  quarrel.  We  are  on  very  good 
terms  now  and  trust  we  shall  ever  be. 

Elizabeth  wrote  you  last  week  and  no  doubt  gave  you  the  particulars 
of  her  sister  Eleanors  death.  How  very  sudden  it  was!  It  was  a  solomn 
warning  to  us  all  to  be  also  ready.  Two  weeks  before  she  died  we  were 
all  over  to  Mr  McKallor's.  She  and  I  sang  much  together  that  evening. 
She  was  then  in  good  health,  much  better  than  I  was.  That  was  the  last 
time  I  ever  saw  her  alive.  We  did  not  hear  that  she  was  ill  until  we 
heard  of  her  death. 

Give  my  love  to  Mr  Beveridges  people  and  am  glad  to  hear  that  their 
health  is  so  much  better.  Mr  and  Mrs  Tanner  send  their  love. 

I  must  leave  the  next  page  for  Alex  and  he  will  tell  you  what  I  have 
forgotten. 

Write  often  and  excuse  us  for  not  writing  sooner. 

From  your  sister,  Martha  N.  Patten, 

East  Greenwich. 


II.    Alexander  R.  Patten,  of  East  Greenwich,  N.   Y.y  to  his  brot/ur, 
William  Patten,  of  Somonauk,  Illinois. 
William:  January  2  3,   18++. 

You  have  waited  long  and  no  doubt  impatiently  for  a  letter  but  you 
have  at  last  received  one.  Mother  and  Martha  have  not  been  well  but 
have  almost  recovered  their  former  health.  My  health  has  been  as  good 
as  usual.  I  will  now  commence  and  give  you  a  mixed  account  of  our 
affairs  since  you  left.  I  had  quite  a  disagreeable  time  getting  to  Uncle 
Archibalds  that  night  after  I  left  you. 

Although  I  always  knew  Jack  to  be  a  slow  horse,  yet  his  motion 
seemed  to  be  retrograde  instead  of  onward  that  night,  at  last  however 
the  long  looked  for  place  came  in  view,  with  a  shout  I  aroused  Duncan 
(Robertson)  and  soon  found  myself  in  a  warm  bed  resting  my  weary 
bones,  for  such  they  really  were. 

The  next  day  I  felt  much  better,  gathered  my  apples  and  returned 
home.  From  that  time  until  the  commencement  of  my  school  not  any- 
thing of  great  importance  took  place. 

We  had  one  party  at  Mr  McKallor's.  We  had  a  social  evening  but 
one  of  our  then  joyful  company — God  has  seen  fit  to  remove  to  another 

270 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

and  I  trust  happier  world.  Like  the  bud  nipped  by  the  untimely  frost, 
she  fell  to  the  earth  to  be  mourned  by  her  friends  and  associates.  That 
reminds  us  that  from  dust  we  came  and  to  dust  we  shall  return. 

Elizabeth  was  at  our  home  last  week.  She  came  Friday  and  staid  until 
Sabbath.  I  had  no  school  on  Saturday  and  we  had  a  social  visit.  We 
anticipated  our  home  in  the  west — a  log-  cabin,  and  the  enjoyment  we 
should  take  there,  if  life  and  health  were  spared.  The  time  will  most 
likely  seem  longer  to  you  than  it  will  to  us.  We  shall  be  preparing  to 
go  and  the  time  will  pass  quickly  to  us.  You  must  live  on  anticipation. 

We  shall  have  many  difficulties  to  encounter  before  we  get  started. 
Getting  our  money  will  be  the  most  troublesome. 

I  shall  enclose  five  dollars  in  this  letter  and  would  ten  if  I  thought  it 
would  be  safe.  I  will  send  you  five  dollars  in  about  two  weeks.  Uncle 
John  Bain  was  at  our  place  last  Thursday  on  a  visit  and  paid  and  paid 
his  note  of  $  1 1 .44.  Barker  has  paid  me  five,  Martin  will  pay  me  this 
week.  I  have  not  seen  Watson.  There  will  be  no  difficulty  in  collecting 
all  of  your  money. 

I  am  filling  up  this  sheet  without  saying  anything  I  suppose  you  will 
care  to  hear.  I  suppose  you  would  like  to  hear  how  I  get  along  with  my 
school.  This  much  I  can  say  far  better  than  I  expected.  I  began  Novem- 
ber 13  (1843)  my  time  was  half  out  last  Thursday  if  I  teach  4  1-2 
months,  there  is  no  doubt  I  will.  I  have  39  scholars  on  my  roll,  will  have 
two  or  three  more,  will  average  25  since  I  commenced.  This  is  more 
than  they  have  had  in  several  years. 

I  have  had  no  difficulty,  every  one  sends  and  appear  to  be  satisfied. 
I  dreaded  to  commence  as  I  told  you  before  you  went  away.  They  were 
a  saucy  lot,  but  I  soon  taught  them  I  was  master  and  they  scholars.  I 
punished  eight  of  them  at  once  severely,  that  put  a  damper  on  them. 
They  found  it  best  to  submit. 

It  is  as  good  a  school  as  I  could  wish  to  have.  I  am  looking  for  the 
inspector  every  day.  The  teachers  in  this  part  of  the  county  had  a  con- 
vention in  December.  I  attended.  There  were  about  50  teachers  there. 
The  teachers  in  this  township  have  a  meeting  every  two  or  three  weeks. 
I  have  been  unable  to  attend  any  of  them.  I  shall  go  next  week.  Robert 
Robertson  is  getting  along  very  well. 

He  has  a  large  school  and  some  think  it  rather  noisy  but  must  be 
suited. 

Robert  Livingston  has  returned  from  the  west.  He  looks  quite  well. 

I  am  expecting  Brother  Robert  home  every  day.  I  shall  write  again  as 
soon  as  he  comes.  You  must  look  up  a  farm  for  Robert  and  me — a  nice 
one.  Uncle  Moses  Robertson  has  rented  the  farm  to  James  McEachron. 
He  pays  $20.00  for  the  rent  and  finds  his  own  firewood  otherwise  he 
rents  it  just  as  you  did. 

He  will  have  to  work  hard  to  make  anything.  He  comes  the  first  of 
April. 

271 


APPENDIX 

Roxy  Washburn  is  talking  of  moving  down  to  the  Kill  in  one  of 
Uncle  Moses'  houses.  Mother  will  most  likely  go  with  her.  We  will  pack 
up  the  most  of  our  things  before  we  go  down  there. 

We  will  have  a  short  time  to  make  our  visits  and  then  start  for  the 
west. 

I  do  not  know  what  time  Robert  will  come  home  to  stay,  soon  after 
the   1st  of  April  I  suppose. 

We  have  a  debating  school  in  the  school  house  by  Dunn's  every  week. 
We  have  quite  eloquent  speeches.  Mr.  Tanner,  George  and  John  Christie, 
William  Harden,  the  Dobbins,  Robertson's  and  the  young  men  around 
here,  are  members.  We  had  quite  a  respectable  audience  at  the  last  eve- 
ning. The  ladies  attended.  The  next  question  is  ought  the  President  be 
elected  for  more  than  one  term? 

Isaac  Shaw  left  a  church  certificate  here  for  you,  but  I  did  not  think 
you  will  need  it  and  I  could  take  it  in  the  spring  j  if  you  think  you  will 
need  it,  I  will  send  it  to  you. 

George  Christy  asked  me  for  your  salery  which  is  $1.50.  He  said  you 
agreed  to  pay  while  you  staid,  if  so  I  will  pay  him  75cts. 

The  store  in  Lake  was  broken  open  last  week  by  Frank  Dutcher  They 
suppose  others  were  engaged  in  it.  None  but  Dutcher  are  missing.  There 
were  but  ten  or  fifteen  dollars  worth  of  goods  taken 

Sidney  Matthews  had  received  considerable  money  that  day,  but  he 
had  laid  it  where  they  did  not  find  it. 

Dutcher  went  down  to  Sanford  Langs  and  took  one  of  his  horses  from 
his  stable  and  rode  it  to  his  brothers  in  White  Creek  and  then  turned  it 
loose.  The  horse  came  back  again  the  next  day. 

Langworthy  was  more  lucky  this  time  than  when  his  horse  was 
stolen  before.  Dutcher  has  not  been  caught  yet. 

The  weather  has  been  very  cold  here  this  winter.  The  thermometer 
has  registered  as  low  as  25°  below  zero.  It  stood  at  from  12  to  16 
below  all  the  latter  part  of  last  week.  We  have  had  good  sleighing  for 
six  or  eight  weeks.  The  snow  has  not  been  very  deep,  about  a  foot. 

I  think  you  had  better  sell  your  wagon,  but  you  must  be  sure  and  sell 
it  to  one  who  will  pay  you  when  it  is  due. 

I  was  up  to  Mr  Pratt's  last  night.  Elizabeth  wrote  a  few  lines  on  this 
sheet.  Mr  Henry  is  much  better.  They  think  they  are  out  of  danger  now. 
I  have  room  to  write  no  more  From  vour  brother 

Alex  R.  Patten 

///.    Alexander  R.  Patten,  Somonauk,  Illinois,  March  25,   1850,  to 
his  brother,  William  Patten,  at  Council  Bluffs,  Mo. 
Dear   Brother  Somonauk  111  March  25   1850 

The  time  has  arrived  when  I  was  to  write  to  you.  I  received  your 
letter  dated  at  Albany — last  week.  I  was  pleased  to  see  you  in  such 
good  spirits.  I  hope  you  may  enjoy  yourself  as  well  till  you  return.  I  am 

272 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

going-  to  Ottawa  to  morrow  If  were  not  I  should  wait  till  the  mail  came 
from  the  east,  to-morrow,  before  I  wrote. 

Have  not  yet  received  that  certificate  of  deposite  from  Pratt.  It  is  not 
impossible  for  it  to  come  yet.  I  hope  it  may — 

Anthony  Harmon  sent  up  last  week  after  that  five  dollars.  Said  he 
needed  it  verry  much  So  I  paid  it.  James  Beveridge  rec  $100  from 
Andrew  which  he  paid  me. 

There  was  a  caucus  held  at  the  School  House  last  week.  It  rained  very 
hard,  but  few  there.  Merritt  &  I  went  down  about  8  o  clock  they  had 
made  out  the  ticket,  before  we  got  there  Lay  was  chairman  of  the  meet- 
ing, Eddy  secretary  Dale  &  Kirkland  chief  speakers.  I  will  give  you 
the  ticket 

David  Merritt,  Sup.  Chs  Merritt  Town  Clerk,  Eddy,  Assessor  Capt. 
Davis,  Capt  Pratt  &  W.  D.  Alexander  Road  Com —  Samuel  H.  Lay 
Esqr — Poor  Master  and  poor  enough  Israel  S.  Clark  Const  &  Collector. 
Alf ord  &  Wilkins  Justices  of  the  peace 

What  do  you  think  of  the  ticket 

I  should  be  inclined  to  think  that  an  effort  will  be  made  to  Elect  Col 
Miller  Assessor  I  favor  the  idea  of  course.  I  should  like  to  see  Eddy  & 
Lay  defeated.  I  believe  they  will  be 

I  think  that  Merritt  will  have  some  opposition,  but  I  think  will  be 
elected 

I  have  attended  two  weddings  since  you  left.  Mahala  P  Fay-to  Gilbert 
&  Mary  D.  Arnold  to  Mr.  Ismon.  I  had  the  honor  of  standing  uf  with 
both  couples 

Mary  Delia  was  married  last  week.  They  got  horned  good  and  strong. 
I  went  out  in  the  evening  and  found  near  the  door  a  large  rag  youngone, 
with  a  paper  attached  to  it  on  which  was  written:  these  lines 
Take  me  in  and  use  me  well 
For  within  this  house  my  father  dwells 

I  put  the  paper  in  my  pocket  and  tore  the  youngone  to  pieces  and 
threw  it  in  the  hog  pen  I  thought  it  would  hurt  their  feelings  and  the 
less  knew  it  the  better  I  hope  Ismon  is  a  better  fellow  than  we  thought 
he  was 

I  know  of  nothing  else  to  write.  All  are  well.  Robert  was  up  here 
Saturday.  Said  all  was  right  at  home.  Elisabeth  sent  up  a  line  which  I 
will  enclose  with  this.  Hough  &  Mahala  leave  for  the  South  Thursdy 
They  are  to  be  at  Beveridge's  this  evening.  I  may  go  uf.  I  will  not  seal 
this  letter  and  if  I  should  not  start  in  the  morning  till  the  mail  arrives 
I  will  tell  if  any  thing  comes.  Yours  truly     A.  R.  Patten. 

IV.  Alexander  R.  Patten  to  his  wife,  Agnes  Beveridge  Patten. 
Dear  Wife  Cambridge  (N.  Y.)  Monday,  April  25,  1853 

I  received  your  letter  at  Coila  last  Friday:  If  you  had  sent  it  to 
N.  York  I  would  not  have  received  it.  I  left  N.  York  on  Thursday. 

273 


APPENDIX 

I  came  up  to  Cambridge  that  night,  stayed  at  Uncle  John's  j  the  next 
day  I  went  to  Mr  Culver's  and  to  Uncle  William's.  Saturday  morning  I 
went  up  to  Slab  City.  In  the  afternoon  I  went  to  Carter  Street,  took  tea 
at  James  Dobbin,  he  lives  in  the  house  where  Mr  Tanner  used  to  live. 
I  called  in  to  see  Mr  Campbell's  folks.  I  found  old  Mr.  Campbell  just 
alive,  he  died  yesterday — from  there  I  went  up  to  Deacon  Robertson's, 
was  there  about  fifteen  minutes.  Then  went  up  to  Lakeville — took  tea 
at  Wm.  Henry's — then  went  to  Thomas  Robertson's,  was  there  about  an 
hour — then  started  for  James  Henry's.  Got  there  about  9  o'clock.  We 
talked  till  the  clock  struck  1 2  then  went  to  bed.  I  found  them  all  well.  I 
never  saw  Jennet  so  fleshy.  Andrew  had  been  there  but  a  few  days  before 
I  got  there.  He  intends  to  go  to  Ills  about  the  1st  of  June. 

Yesterday  I  went  to  Meeting  at  Argyle.  Mr  Collins  (a  brother  of 
the  one  in  Wis.)  preached.  I  saw  nearly  all  of  our  friends  and  had  a 
great  many  warm  invitations  to  stay  a  week  but  I  told  them  my  wife 
would  object.  I  went  home  from  meeting  with  Thomas  Robertson — 
stayed  there  till  evening — then  went  to  the  Kill — stayed  all  night  with 
Mr  Hall.  Got  up  early  in  the  morning  and  called  on  Roxey — left  there 
between  6  and  7  to  take  the  cars  at  Clapps  Mills — got  down  to  Cam- 
bridge about  9  o'clock — was  with  Uncle  Moses  till  after  dinner,  then 
came  up  to  Uncle  John's — where  I  am  now.  It  is  now  just  4  o'clock. 
Phebe  Ann  is  nearly  through  washing.  She  feels  bad  to  think  that  you 
do  not  write  to  her.  Uncle  William  and  Aunt  Mary  both  wish  me  to 
stop  in  Indianna  and  go  and  see  their  land.  It  has  been  sold  for  taxes  and 
the  time  for  its  redemption  runs  out  this  summer.  They  have  written 
several  times  but  can  hear  nothing  from  it.  It  is  situated  about  15  miles 
from  Elkhart  on  the  Sou.  Michigan  Rail  Road.  They  feel  so  bad  about 
it,  and  insist  on  my  going  so  much  that  I  have  partly  promised  that  I 
will  stop.  If  I  should  I  cannot  get  home  this  week — perhaps  till  the 
middle  of  next.  I  think  I  shall  get  to  Chicago  Saturday.  I  will  have 
some  business  to  do  there.  If  I  should  get  to  Chicago  Saturday  Morn- 
ing I  will  try  and  get  home  Monday.  I  do  not  know  how  long  I  shall 
be  detained  in  Indianna.  I  feel  anxious  to  get  home,  if  it  had  not  been 
for  this  business  I  should  have  been  half  way  to  Buffalo  by  this  time.  I 
do  not  know  whether  I  shall  stop  at  Martin's  or  not,  it  will  depend  on 
circumstances. 

You  cant  imagine  how  much  good  it  done  me  to  hear  from  you.  When 
I  left  New  York  I  gave  up  the  idea  of  hearing  from  you  till  I  got  home. 
I  supposed  your  letter  had  been  detained  on  the  Road  and  that  it  would 
not  reach  New  York  till  after  I  left — but  I  was  happily  disappointed 
to  find  it  (at)  Coila.  George  Culver  had  taken  it  out  of  the  office.  Mr. 
Culver's  folks  were  all  pleased  to  see  me.  Tell  James  that  they  are  all 
well.  I  shall  call  there  again  this  evening. 

You  must  try  and  enjoy  yourselves  as  well  as  you  can  till  I  get  home. 
I  am  getting  homesick  myself.  I  could  not  content  myself  to  stay  here 
a  week.  I  shall  start  tomorrow  morning.  I  shall  write  to  you  again  from 

274 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

Chicago.  If  I  should  not  get  there  so  as  to  be  home  on  Monday — I  wish 
you  would  write  to  me  again  direct  to  Chicago,  send  it  on  the  first 
mail  East  after  you  receive  this.  James  promised  to  write  to  Chicago. 
I  feel  lonesome.  I  don't  know  what  ails  me.  I  never  felt  so  discontented 
and  so  anxious  to  get  home  before.  But  there  is  no  use  in  feeling  bad — 
I  shall  be  home  in  a  few  days — be  a  good  Girl — kiss  Jimmy  for  me,  keep 
things  all  right.  And  I  shall  get  home  as  soon  as  possible.  Johnny  is  run- 
ning around  the  room,  he  talks  quite  plain.  He  looks  fleshy.  I  will  bid 
you  farewell.  Your  affectionate  husband 

A.  R.  Patten. 

V.  Alexander  R.  Patten  to  his  wife,  Agnes  Beveridge  Patten. 

Dear  Wife  Chicago,  Oct.   1    1862 

I  reed.  Yours  to-day.  I  was  up  to  Evanston  last  night  came  down  this 
morning  with  the  intention  of  going  home  to-day  but  as  you  are  coming 
I  will  stay.  I  was  afraid  you  would  give  up  the  idea  of  coming.  I  am 
glad  you  have  concluded  to  come  and  I  don't  want  you  to  fail — never 
mind  if  it  does  look  a  little  rainy,  it  may  be  fair  by  the  time  you  get 
here.  I  will  go  back  to  Evanston  to-night  &  have  John  and  Helen  come 
down  with  me  to  Chicago  to-morrow  morning. 

I  took  dinner  with  Mr.  Kimball  today.  Lib  made  me  promise  to 
have  you  and  the  others  go  there  to-morrow  for  dinner.  I  promised  if 
possible  to  go. 

I  will  meet  where  the  Rail  Road  crosses  State  Street  and  we  will  go 
down  to  Camp  Douglas  and  back  to  Mr.  Kimball's  then  go  down  town 
and  do  your  trading  and  get  ready  to  leave  for  home.  I  was  intending  to 
get  your  dress  and  other  things  this  afternoon  but  I  had  rather  have  you 
select  for  yourself.  I  spoke  to  Mr.  Shepard  about  your  getting  some 
money — he  will  give  you  what  you  want,  bring  along  enough.  I  will 
send  this  to  you  by  George  and  have  him  deliver  it  to-night — now  do  not 
fail  to  come.  Kiss  that  good  natured  little  son  for  me,  imagine  one  for 
yourself.  Retire  and  have  a  good  night's  rest  and  then  "be  up  in  the 
morning  early"  and  we  will  endeavor  to  have  a  pleasant  time. 

from  your  husband  j±    r    Patten 

[Note:  Mark  Kimball,  a  hardware  merchant,  at  Lake  and  Dearborn 
Streets,  was  the  father  of  Eugene  Kimball.] 

VI.  Alexander  R.  Patten  to  his  wife,  Agnes  Beveridge  Patten. 

Gait  House 
Dear  Wife  Louisville,  Ky.  Nov.  5,  1862 

We  arrived  here  at  12  M  to-day — had  a  very  pleasant  time.  This 
afternoon  Mr  Abel  and  I  have  been  to  several  hospitals  to  see  if  we  could 
find  any  of  our  Co's  sick.  Fulton  and  Mr  Wells  son  are  here  but  we 
did  not  succeed  in  finding  them.  I  have  been  to  the  Provost  Marshalls 

275 


APPENDIX 

office  and  procured  a  pass  for  Lebanon,  they  say  I  will  have  no  difficulty 
in  reaching  Jamestown.  (I  leave  at  7 A.M. tomorrow.)  So  you  need  not 
fear  my  being  caught  by  the  rebels.  Mr  Abels  reed,  a  Tel.  dispatch  from 
Mr  Castle  dated  Nov.  4  at  Bowling  Green.  The  Reg.  is  there.  I  may  or 
may  not  go  to  see  them,  it  will  depend  on  circumstances.  I  will  write 
again  when  I  reach  Cousin  John's  if  I  think  the  letter  will  get  home 
before  I  do. 

I  hope  you  are  all  getting  well.  Tell  the  boys  to  see  how  well  they 
can  do  the  chores  till  I  get  back. 

Yours  Affectionately  \   r    Patten 


LETTERS  OF  WILLIAM  PATTEN  AND  HIS  WIFE 
ELIZABETH  PRATT  PATTEN 

/.  William  Patten  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Pratt,  of  Cossayuna,  New  York, 
who  a  few  months  later  became  his  wife. 

Elizabeth:  Somonauk,  111.,  June  16,  1843. 

I  do  not  know  but  you  will  think  I  have  been  very  careless  and 
negligent  in  not  writing  before  this  time. 

It  was  my  intention  to  have  written  as  soon  as  I  arrived,  but  by 
commencing  to  work  the  next  day,  I  have  been  prevented  until  today  or 
rather  I  have  waited  for  a  more  convenient  opportunity,  but  I  find  that 
I  may  wait  all  summer,  if  I  wait  for  a  rainy  day. 

The  boys  prayer  that  it  would  rain  nights  and  Sabbath  days  that 
hired  men  could  rest,  has  been  fully  answered  since  I  have  been  in  Illi- 
nois, for  we  have  not  been  obliged  to  remain  under  shelter  more  than 
two  or  three  hours,  although  it  has  been  very  wet  for  this  country. 

It  is  now  almost  two  months  since  I  have  heard  from  home.  Although 
I  am  not  homesick,  I  can  assure  you  that  a  separation  from  friends  that 
I  love,  associations  that  have  become  endeared  to  my  heart,  has  not  been 
made  without  many  a  painful  sensation.  One  of  the  many  days  that  I 
spent  so  pleasantly  with  my  friends  in  the  east  would  be  an  acceptable 
treasure  now. 

I  arrived  at  Mr.  Beveridges,  after  considerable  delay  on  the  way  May 
16th.  I  had  a  pleasant  time  traveling,  the  weather  was  generally  favor- 
able and  company  agreeable. 

I  made  many  new  acquaintances  on  the  route,  some  of  whom  I 
parted  with  regret.  I  had  many  cordial  invitations  to  call  on  persons  in 
different  parts  of  Wisconsin  and  Illinois  with  an  assurance  that  I  should 
meet  with  a  welcome  reception. 

I  was  fortunately  able  to  be  of  some  service  to  a  young  Scotchman  in 
Buffalo,  which  I  had  repaid  me  four  fold  in  going  around  the  Lake. 
It  is  customary  for  deck  passengers  to  find  their  own  bedding  and  as  I 
had  made  no  provision  for  this,  would  have  fared  hard  had  it  not  been 
for  the  Scotchman,  who  generously  shared  his  with  me. 

276 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

My  friend  left  the  boat  at  Milwaukee  and  from  there  to  Chicago,  I 
had  the  opportunity  of  trying  how  comfortable  it  was  to  sleep  on  three 
slats  about  two  inches  wide,  with  the  boat  pitching  and  rolling  so  I  had 
to  hold  on  with  both  hands,  sleeping  on  the  soft  side  of  a  white  oak 
plank  is  nothing  to  be  compared  to  it. 

I  do  not  know  as  I  could  give  a  description  of  this  country  than  what 
you  have  had  already.  It  exceeds  my  expectations.  It  is  all  I  expected  and 
more. 

If  a  man  cannot  suit  himself  here,  whatever  his  circumstances  are  as 
to  wealth,  I  should  be  inclined  to  think  he  did  not  know  what  he  was 
looking  after. 

This  is  the  land  for  the  poor  or  the  rich  farmer.  There  are  room, 
opportunities  and  employment  for  all,  and  if  they  can  succeed  any- 
where, they  can  here. 

Industry  and  perseverance  and  an  ordinary  blessing  from  Him  "who 
feeds  the  young  ravens  when  they  cry"  is  all  that  is  needed. 

I  am  confident  you  will  be  pleased  with  the  country  generally,  if  not' 
with  the  place  I  have  chosen  on  which  to  begin  my  improvements. 

There  are  as  many  different  fancys  as  individuals. 

You  cannot  find  a  man  in  Illinois,  who  has  not  the  best  and  hand- 
somest place  in  the  state. 

It  appears  to  me  all  fancy,  one  part  being  so  much  better  than  an- 
other; it  is  all  good  enough. 

I  have  met  and  conversed  with  men  from  nearly  every  county  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  state  and  find  they  all  have  the  richest  land 
and  the  best  market,  even  those  who  are  hauling  their  wheat  from  a 
hundred  miles  west  of  here  to  Chicago,  they  all  tell  the  same  story. 

If  I  were  able  to  buy  an  improved  farm,  think  I  should  settle  fifteen 
or  twenty  miles  nearer  Chicago  (nearer  than  the  land  is  mostly  cold  and 
wet)  but  as  I  cannot  I  think  this  is  the  best  place. 

The  most  of  the  passengers  on  our  boat  left  at  Milwaukee  and  Racine. 
The  tide  of  emigration  is  setting  into  Wisconsin  with  a  perfect  rush,  but 
the  reason  the  most  of  them  give  for  going  there  would  keep  me  away, 
viz.  that  every  body  else  is  going  there. 

_  I  have  had  good  opportunities  for  getting  information  about  Wiscon- 
sin from  those  who  have  traveled  through  any  part  of  the  territory  and 
I  cannot  hear  anything  that  would  induce  me  to  settle  there  at  the  present 
time.  The  land  is  no  better  and  the  chances  of  getting  near  a  market 
not  half  as  good  as  here. 

Everything  the  new  beginner  has  to  buy  is  exorditingly  high  and  to 
crown  the  whole  the  snow  falls  sometimes  four  or  five  feet  deep  with  a 
slight  touch  of  winter  now  and  then. 

The  number  of  emigrants  going  into  Wisconsin  at  the  present  time  is 
so  great  they  consume  more  than  they  can  produce.  Here  in  many  ways 
it  is  entirely  different. 

The  country  has  been  settled  long  enough  to  produce  five  times  as 
much  as  they  consume. 

277 


APPENDIX 

Here  the  climate  is  milder,  provisions  and  necessary  clothing  and 
farming  tools  are  cheap  and  easily  obtained,  besides  there  is  plenty  of 
land  to  work  on  favorable  terms  while  we  are  making  improvements 
on  our  own. 

For  wheat  they  will  find  team  and  seed,  standing  in  the  field  in  the 
stack,  corn  the  same  leaving  their  half  standing  on  the  ground  without 
cutting  or  husking. 

I  have  engaged  to  work  for  Mr.  Beveridge  three  months  for  forty 
dollars,  this  is  as  long  as  I  wanted  work  as  I  intend  to  put  in  a  crop  of 
wheat  this  fall. 

I  believe  it  will  be  better  to  go  back  (to  Washington  Co.)  this  fall  as 
next  spring  to  go  and  return  after  navigation  opens,  to  put  in  a  spring 
crop. 

Mr  Beveridges  family  are  all  well.  James  and  John  are  at  school. 
They  received  a  letter  from  Andrew  this  morning. 

Give  my  respects  to  your  folks.  I  wish  you  would  write  as  soon  as  you 
receive  this  and  tell  me  if  mother  is  well,  if  Martha  and  Alexander  are 
home. 

I  wish  you  were  here.  Our  coming  out  here  this  spring  would  not  have 
been  as  far  out  of  the  way  as  you  thought  for  there  are  hundreds  coming 
out  every  season,  without  knowing  any  more  than  we  did  about  country. 
I  can  have  plenty  of  employment  at  a  liberal  compensation.  I  had  rather 
be  here  without  a  dollar  to  begin  with  than  to  have  $500.00  in  the  east 
and  be  under  obligation  to  stay  there.  I  believe  I  could  obtain  a  com- 
fortable home  here  sooner. 

I  think  I  shall  make  a  good  Rooster  except  in  driving  cattle.  Yesterday 
I  drove  four  yoke  of  oxen  between  two  stumps  four  rods  apart  without 
touching  which  is  better  than  I  could  do  at  first. 

Do  not  neglect  writing  as  long  as  I  have  done 

Yours  sincerely 
(Signed)  William  Patten 

//.    William  Patten  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Pratt. 
Elizabeth-  Somonauk,  Thursday,  Dec.  28,  1843. 

It  is  with  unfeigned  pleasure  that  I  sit  down  this  evening  to  acknowl- 
edge the  receipt  of  and  answer  your  letter  which  I  received  this  morn- 
ing. I  have  been  counting  the  days  ever  since  I  wrote  you.  At  first  I 
thought  it  would  come  in  about  twenty  days  but  at  the  time  when  we 
began  to  look  for  one,  we  received  some  papers  that  were  about  twenty 
days  on  the  way.  You  may  imagine  what  my  feelings  were,  when  I  found 
I  must  double  the  time. 

This  morning  I  was  about  ready  to  leave  Sononauk  for  Shabbona 
Grove,  when  I  received  the  long  looked  for  letter. 

It  was  a  welcome  messenger.  I  was  pleased  with  your  promptness  in 
writing.  All  the  fault  I  could  find  was  in  not  giving  a  fuller  account  of 

278 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

all  that  was  passing  in  the  vicinity  of  that  much  loved  but  now  far  dis- 
tant land.  Every  occurrence  whether  trifling  or  serious  is  interesting. 

It  was  with  painful  and  melancholly  feelings  that  I  received  the  ac- 
count of  Cousin  Mary  Henry's  departure  for  that  bourne  from  whence 
there  is  no  return.  Alas !  how  soon  are  our  long  cherished  hopes  of  earthly 
happiness  and  pleasure  cut  short.  William's  grief  must  be  deep.  He  almost 
idolized  her.  How  many  warnings  do  we  daily  have  of  the  uncertainty 
of  life. 

With  all  the  assurance  which  we  have  that  the  time  of  our  sojourning 
here  being  short  and  very  uncertain,  we  go  on  building  our  hopes  of 
earthly  happinesss  as  if  we  were  to  remain  forever. 

We  have  also  been  called  on  to  mourn  the  loss  of  one  of  our  number. 
Small  as  was  our  circle  a  break  has  been  made  in  it.  Jonathan  B.  French 
was  taken  from  us  Dec.  26  (1843)  at  a  quarter  before  nine  A.  M. 

He  gave  the  fullest  evidence  of  dying  in  the  faith  and  hope  of  our 
Savior.  He  was  spared  the  full  possession  of  his  senses  to  almost  the  last 
moment  of  his  existance.  He  was  perfectly  calm  and  resigned,  anxiously 
waiting  for  the  hour  when  he  should  be  called  to  pass  the  Jordan  of 
death  and  appear  before  that  merciful  Redeemer  who  died  that  we  might 
live. 

His  death  and  previous  conversation  has  made  a  deep  and  I  trust  last- 
ing impression  on  us  all. 

Well  may  we  with  the  Psalm  wish  that  we  may  die  the  death  of  the 
righteous  and  our  last  end  may  be  like  his. 

Dr.  French  received  during  his  protracted  illness  all  the  attention  that 
duty  and  affection  required.  No  mother  could  have  shown  more  kindness 
to  a  son  than  Mrs  Beveridge  did  for  him. 

She  was  with  him  the  most  of  the  time  for  the  last  three  weeks.  His 
distressing  complaint,  a  chronic  diarrhea  (He  had  consumption)  kept  one 
and  sometimes  two  constantly  in  attendance.  James  Beveridge  waited  on 
him  a  month,  until  he  left  for  school  in  Mount  Morris,  then  John  Bev- 
eridge took  his  place  until  his  school  commenced  Dec  5th,  since  then 
William  French  has  cared  for  him  assisted  by  the  rest  of  us. 

I  was  with  him  the  day  he  died.  This  is  the  second  death  I  have  wit- 
nessed in  Illinois.  Alas !  what  a  contrast  between  them.  The  one  receiving 
every  assistance  that  the  kindest  heart  could  suggest.  The  other  with 
scarce  a  friend  to  moisten  his  dying  lips.  The  one  giving  the  clearest 
evidence  of  a  hope  in  that  better  life  that  is  to  come. 

The  other  to  all  appearance  having  scarcely  a  knowledge  that  there 
was  a  Savior,  before  his  Judgement  seat  he  was  to  appear.  May  God 
grant  that  these  dispensations  of  his  Providence  may  be  blessed  to  our 
use,  that  our  hearts  may  be  softened,  that  they  may  be  the  means  of 
weaning  us  from  the  things  of  this  world  and  set  them  on  Him  who  is 
able  to  make  us  wise  unto  salvation. 

I  do  not  know  but  that  I  gave  you  a  too  dismal  picture  of  the  health 
of  our  friends  in  Somonauk.  This  fever  and  ague  is  not  very  serious  if 

279 


APPENDIX 

properly  treated.  It  lasts  but  three  or  four  hours  at  a  time,  with  some- 
times a  week  in  between. 

It  is  not  considered  much  more  dangerous  than  toothache.  There  is 
plenty  of  medicine  that  will  cure  it  if  properly  taken,  but  there  are  few 
who  have  the  patience  to  continue  taking  it  and  lay  idle  the  requisite 
length  of  time.  They  feel  so  much  better  in  a  day  or  two  and  there  is 
usually  so  much  to  do  that  they  commence  work,  which  usually  brings 
on  the  shakes  again. 

The  health  of  the  neighborhood  has  improved  very  much,  there  is  not 
to  my  knowledge  a  person  confined  to  the  house,  within  ten  miles  and 
but  few  who  are  not  in  the  enjoyment  of  perfect  health.  I  am  still  of 
the  opinion  that  it  is  healthier  here  than  in  the  east,  where  a  proper  choice 
has  been  made  of  location  and  house,  some  of  the  houses  are  not  fit  for 
hog  pens.  In  the  chamber  where  we  sleep  we  can  count  the  stars  through 
the  roof,  sometimes  our  clothes  are  wet  in  the  morning,  if  we  are  not 
careful  to  lay  them  in  a  sheltered  place. 

Dec.  30th. — I  have  a  poor  opinion  of  building  log  houses  in  this 
country.  It  takes  the  same  amount  of  flooring,  roof  &c  that  a  frame  one 
does.  The  most  of  the  houses  built  recently  have  been  small  frame  ones, 
costing  from  one  to  two  hundred  dollars.  This  is  almost  as  cheap  as  a 
log  house  can  be  built  and  made  comfortable. 

It  was  something  like  this  description  of  Houses  that  I  wished  to  put 
up  but  the  expense  of  board  and  other  extra  expenses  would  run  up  the 
cost  in  money  out,  to  more  than  I  could  afford  at  present.  It  was  this  that 
led  me  to  that  proposition  in  my  letter  to  Alexander.  I  should  have  liked 
to  have  had  your  opinion  but  the  improbability  of  receiving  an  answer 
in  time  to  be  of  any  use  has  in  a  measure  compelled  me  to  adopt  the  log 
house  plan. 

The  cellar  is  almost  dug  and  the  foundation  laid,  for  a  house  twenty 
feet  square.  I  could  not  get  logs  for  a  longer  one,  indeed  it  is  difficult 
to  find  logs  that  will  do  at  all.  They  are  either  too  large,  crooked  or  too 
short.  It  would  be  no  trick  at  all  to  put  one  up  if  we  had  the  eastern 
hemlocks  to  get  the  logs  out  of. 

It  requires  a  lot  of  hewing  to  get  the  logs  in  any  kind  of  shape  that 
will  answer.  There  was  another  difficulty  at  the  time  I  wrote.  The  claim 
of  about  fifteen  acres  of  timber  that  was  given  up  to  me  by  Mr.  F.  turned 
out  by  measurement  to  be  about  twenty-five  and  he  has  recalled  his  gift. 

I  do  not  know  as  yet  for  certain  if  he  will  let  me  have  any  of  it  or  not. 
According  to  the  claim  rules  I  hold  it.  Nothing  but  the  fear  that  I  will 
enter  all  of  it  will  bring  him  to  terms. 

If  I  were  able  to  deed  the  eighty  acre  lot  the  house  will  be  on  and  the 
forty  the  timber  is  on,  it  would  make  a  farm  80  rods  wide  and  240  long. 
The'creek  runs  through  the  forty.  This  would  make  us  a  good  and  hand- 
some a  farm  as  I  have  seen  in  Illinois  or  any  where  else  of  its  size. 

280 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

The  other  eighty  I  claimed  lies  between  us  and  Howisons  and  it  is  not 
possible  that  any  one  will  meddle  with  that  for  some  years  to  come  as 
there  is  plenty  of  good  land  elsewhere. 

I  am  determined  if  possible  to  keep  clear  of  small  debts. 

I  have  received  my  box  of  goods  and  they  were  all  safe.  Mr.  Beveridge 
is  now  in  Chicago  and  may  bring  the  wagon  home  if  the  roads  are  not 
too  bad.  We  have  had  considerable  trouble  about  our  land  in  Shabbona 
Grove,  it  was  to  have  been  surveyed  the  next  week  when  I  wrote  and  was 
not  until  last  week. 

We  had  been  over  to  see  about  it  four  or  five  times. 

It  is  quite  an  undertaking  to  walk  nine  miles  and  back  again  without 
the  satisfaction  of  accomplishing  anything.  It  has  prevented  us  from 
doing  anything  about  getting  out  rails  and  to  crown  the  whole  we  have 
been  set  by  the  surveyor,  about  half  of  the  width  of  the  lot  west,  which 
throws  us  into  a  grove  of  large  maple  timber,  which  is  of  no  use  to  us 
as  it  is  too  far  to  draw  wood  (7  miles).  t 

When  I  went  east  I  left  particular  instructions  not  to  pay  out  the 
money  with  out  ample  security  that  the  contract  would  be  fulfilled,  in- 
stead of  that,  there  was  not  even  a  receipt  taken.  The  one  who  owns  the 
land  is  a  perfectly  irresponsible  and  slippery  case  and  to  make  the  matter 
worse  the  land  was  entered  in  another  mans  name  upon  whom  we  have 
no  hold,  so  we  are  obliged  to  take  what  we  can  get  and  hold  our  peace. 
I  was  provoked  when  I  came  back  and  found  things  in  this  shape.  I 
would  about  as  soon  have  thrown  the  money  in  the  fire,  and  getting 
timber  we  do  not  want  is  not  all,  it  is  land  another  man  claims  and  swears 
that  if  we  attempt  to  cut  a  stick,  he  will  shoot  us  as  quick  as  he  would 
prairie  wolves. 

I  thought  I  would  mention  this  so  that  if  we  are  missing  some  night, 
you  may  be  prepared  in  a  measure  for  the  news. 

The  title  to  what  we  get  is  perfectly  good. 

You  will  see  by  what  has  been  written  that  you  are  coming  to  a  civil- 
ized country  as  all  the  ways  of  lying  and  cheating  are  as  well  understood 
here  as  in  the  east. 

There  has  been  a  perfect  turmoil  all  the  fall  and  winter  about  land 
claims.  The  high  prices  of  produce  has  made  money  more  easily  obtained 
and  every  one  seems  to  be  looking  about  where  he  can  obtain  the  most 
with  what  he  has  on  hand.  The  certainty  that  the  canal  will  be  completed 
as  soon  as  practicable  has  set  speculation  completely  afloat  and  they  are 
all  going  to  be  rich  in  a  short  time.  I  almost  believe  a  near  market  is  a 
curse  instead  of  a  blessing.  It  seems  to  make  people  more  grasping  and 
covetous. 

You  ask  what  gave  me  the  blues  and  you  can  form  some  idea  of  how 
many  vexatious  circumstances  I  had  to  contend  with  by  reading  the  fore- 
going account.  All  this  with  ill  health  and  the  thought  I  was  separated* 

281 


APPENDIX 

from  nearly  all  that  I  loved  was  enough  to  give  any  one  a  touch  of  the 
blues.  I  almost  wished  I  had  never  attempted  to  settle  in  the  west  but 
things  now  wear  a  different  aspect. 

I  was  not  well  the  first  two  or  three  weeks  after  my  return  but  since 
have  enjoyed  excellent  health.  I  think  if  those  I  left  in  the  east  were 
here  I  would  enjoy  living  here  as  well  as  I  ever  did  in  my  life.  Tell 
Eleanor  her  apples  were  distributed  according  to  her  directions. 

Jennet  Henry  sent  some  apples  and  chestnuts.  They  were  a  great  treat 
here.  We  had  some  long  talks  over  Greenwich  matters  over  them. 

There  is  a  minister  now  at  Mr  Beveridges  to  preach  for  us  tomorrow. 
A  Rev  McClintock  or  some  such  name.  He  arrived  a  few  hours  after  we 
buried  Dr  French.  We  would  have  been  pleased  if  he  had  arrived  sooner 
as  it  made  considerable  talk  in  the  neighborhood,  our  burying  him  with- 
out a  sermon  or  even  a  minister  in  attendance.  It  is  considered  all  im- 
portant here  to  have  a  funeral  sermon  and  they  will  sometimes  send  a 
great  distance  for  a  minister  when  on  other  occasions  they  would  not 
go  to  hear  the  best  gospel  sermon  ever  preached. 

You  will  all  be  pleased  to  hear  that  Mrs  Beveridge  is  enjoying  quite 
good  health.  James  Beveridge  is  at  Mount  Morris  at  school.  Thomas  is 
as  healthy  as  I  ever  saw  him.  John  Beveridge  is  teaching  about  twenty 
scholars,  not  including  the  retinue  of  dogs,  which  are  too  difficult  to 
count.  I  think  however  there  are  not  more  than  forty. 

Some  one  opened  the  door  one  day  when  they  all  took  a  notion  to  run 
in.  When  John  was  trying  to  drive  them  out,  they  commenced  fighting 
and  such  a  racket  they  made,  would  be  hard  to  beat.  There  were  no  lives 
lost  however. 

William  and  James  Howison  are  well.  We  now  intend  to  begin  chop- 
ping Monday  if  nothing  prevents  us.  I  have  been  making  an  ox  sled, 
which  the  boys  advise  me  to  tie  up  nights  to  prevent  its  going  into  the 
woods  to  steal  rails  but  I  think  it  is  not  necessary  as  nothing  that  belongs 
to  me  would  enter  a  business  where  there  is  so  much  competition.  You 
mention  having  a  singing  school  at  Lake,  but  you  must  not  think  we  are 
entirely  destitute  of  music  here.  The  wolves  have  taken  it  into  their  heads 
to  serenade  us  almost  every  night.  Just  imagine  fifty  dogs  and  cats  all 
barking  and  making  a  noise  together  and  you  may  have  some  idea  of  it. 

They  will  come  as  near  the  house  as  they  dare  and  commence,  that  sets 
all  the  dogs  in  the  neighborhood  barking  and  one  might  as  well  sleep 
in  Bedlam. 

We  are  having  a  mild  and  pleasant  winter  so  far.  If  all  of  the  winters 
are  like  this  we  shall  not  regret  leaving  that  cold,  frosty  country. 

There  has  not  been  more  than  two  or  three  inches  of  snow  at  a  time 
yet.  That  was  in  November.  December  has  been  a  beautiful  month. 

I  am  now  at  John  Walker's  and  expect  to  remain  here  the  most  of  the 
time  until  March,  when  with  the  Howison  boys  we  will  set  up  house- 
keeping for  our  selves. 

282 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

I  have  made  a  trade  with  J.  Shaw  by  which  I  am  to  use  his  oxen  when 
I  want  them  until  spring,  that  is  better  than  to  get  them  of  my  own  and 
buy  feed  for  them. 

The  sickness  of  the  boys  prevented  their  getting  much  cut  for  me. 
I  do  not  know  as  half  I  have  been  writing  will  be  of  interest  to  you  but 
I  have  plenty  of  time  to  write  mornings  and  evenings  and  nothing  else 
to  write. 

You  must  not  mind  my  sending  such  a  blotted  sheet  as  it  was  written 
mostly  by  candle  light,  and  does  not  look  well  beside  of  yours 

Yours, 
Signed  William  (Patten) 

I  should  like  to  keep  this  open  until  Monday  to  give  you  an  account 
of  the  sermon  but  if  I  do  may  not  have  an  opportunity  to  mail  it  for 
some  time. 

I  shall  endeavor  to  comply  with  your  time  of  writing  but  do  not  know 
as  I  can  get  papers  to  send  you  but  will  do  my  best.  I  was  pleased  that 
you  are  on  good  terms  with  my  folks,  visit  there  as  often  as  you  can, 
for  my  sake  if  not  for  your  own.  I  would  not  for  the  world  have  any 
misunderstanding  between  you.  Give  my  respects  to  all  our  mutual 
friends.  W.  P. 

///.  Mrs.  William  Patten  to  her  sister  in  Cossayuna,  Washington 
County,  New  York. 

My  dear  Sister:  Somonauk,  Illinois,  Aug.  1,  1845 

Your  letter  dated  July  4,  and  11,  came  last  week.  It  was  received 
with  joy.  I  had  become  quite  anxious  to  hear  from  home  and  began  to 
think  they  were  rather  tardy  answering  my  letters. 

My  health  is  good,  I  never  felt  better  than  I  do  this  day.  James  Miller 
(the  Baby)  is  well.  The  day  he  was  three  months  old  he  weighed  16 
pounds. 

Your  present  came  just  right,  it  was  what  I  wanted  and  intended  to 
get  at  the  first  opportunity. 

The  4th  (of  July)  was  celebrated  by  the  young  people  of  Somonauk 
at  Mr.  Arnold's,  about  two  miles  from  here.  I  attended,  there  were  27 
couple,  but  few  others  except  relatives  and  close  friends  of  Mr.  Arnold's. 
It  was  called  by  the  young  people  an  "Independence  Party." 

Perhaps  you  will  wonder  how  I  came  to  be  invited.  Mrs.  Arnold  is  a 
sister  of  our  nearest  neighbor  Mr.  George  Hough  and  they  insisted  on 
my  going  with  them.  I  also  had  an  invitation  from  Gilbert  L.  Hough, 
another  brother  and  the  orator  of  the  day. 

An  arbor  was  erected  under  which  we  had  our  dinner,  and  I  never  sat 
down  to  a  table  more  bountifully  spread,  everything  you  could  wish 
was  before  us. 

The  young  people  were  neatly  and  fashionably  dressed  and  appeared 
as  well  as  any  company  I  ever  saw. 

283 


APPENDIX 

Our  orator  was  a  prairie  boy  not  twenty  years  old,  who  had  never 
been  to  an  academy  but  sixteen  weeks  and  has  not  been  highly  favored 
with  common  schools.  His  oration  evinced  talents  of  a  superior  order. 

William  went  Thursday  afternoon  with  Mr.  Beveridge  to  Sycamore 
to  attend  an  Abolition  County  convention  and  a  Democrat  celebration 
on  the  4th  at  that  place.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  convention. 

William  and  Alexander  have  harvested  their  wheat  and  five  large 
stacks  were  built  this  week  near  the  house.  They  are  now  at  Mr.  Bev- 
eridges  and  expect  to  be  there  a  week  after  this. 

I  am  with  Mother  Patten  as  we  are  both  left  alone,  when  the  boys  are 
gone.  I  stay  with  her  and  she  is  very  kind  to  me  and  I  like  her  very  much. 

Martha's  school  closed  yesterday,  she  had  a  very  pleasant  school,  she 
was  very  much  attached  to  her  scholars  and  they  appeared  to  love  her 
sincerely. 

Write  what  William  Henry  says  about  this  country  and  about  the  way 
people  live  here.  Affectionately  your  sister 

Elizabeth  Patten. 

IV.    William  Patten  to  his  zvife  Elizabeth  Pratt  Patten. 
Elizabeth:  Council  Bluffs,  Apr.   12,  1850 

We  are  now  at  Council  Bluffs,  have  been  here  a  week  tonight,  are  all 
in  good  health  and  good  spirits.  We  are  living  in  a  small  cabin  about 
ten  by  twelve  feet  square. 

This  is  the  great  Mormon  settlement.  There  are  some  ten  or  fifteen 
thousand  of  them  in  this  vicinity.  To  all  outward  appearances  they  are 
an  honest,  industrious  people,  with  a  very  respectable  amount  of  intel- 
ligence for  a  back  settlement,  and  as  happy,  with  any  amount  of  peddling 
and  singing  going  on  among  them.  Some  of  their  songs  describing  their 
persecutions  and  pilgrimages  would  bring  tears  from  any  one. 

They  are  stowed  away  here  in  the  hills  so  thick.  It  is  the  hilliest  coun- 
try I  was  ever  in,  and  to  look  at,  as  barren  a  one,  but  they  say  the  valleys 
are  very  fertile,  yielding  some  sixty  or  one  hundred  bushels  of  corn  to 
the  acre. 

I  never  saw  so  large  an  agricultural  population  stowed  in  so  small  a 
space.  The  Californian's  are  scattered  up  and  down  the  river  for  fifteen 
miles,  Kanesville  being  the  central  point.  We  are  about  seven  miles  from 
Kanesville  in  a  north  east  direction,  in  what  is  called  Brown's  camp. 

Every  little  hollow  contains  from  three  to  a  dozen  families  and  is 
called  a  camp.  We  paid  fifty  cents  for  corn,  two  dollars  per  ton  for  hay 
and  fifty  cents  a  week  for  the  cabin. 

We  cook  in  the  cabins  and  sleep  in  the  wagons.  Most  of  the  Cali- 
fornian's are  similarly  situated.  Corn  is  now  sixty  five  cents  a  bushel, 
those  who  came  first  paid  only  thirty. 

284 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

Some  companies  talk  of  starting  next  week.  We  do  not  intend  to  start 
until  there  is  grass,  if  it  is  not  until  July.  We  are  in  hopes  of  starting 
two  weeks  from  next  Monday. 

Those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  trip,  say  that  it  will  be  impossible 
for  those  that  start  before  the  grass  is  up,  to  keep  up  their  teams.  The 
Mormons  do  not  intend  to  start  until  the  first  of  June. 

We  are  living  a  dull,  monotonous  life  and  could  get  very  homesick 
if  we  were  to  indulge  in  such  feelings. 

I  fear  I  shall  receive  no  letters  before  we  start  as  the  mail  contractors 
have  given  up  their  contracts  between  here  and  Des  Moines,  so  there  is 
no  eastern  mail  from  this  place. 

We  are  living  beside  a  man  who  has  been  to  California  and  back,  he 
thinks  with  good  luck  we  can  go  from  here  in  one  hundred  days.  He 
thinks  we  have  a  very  good  outfit. 

There  have  been  two  deaths  among  the  Californians,  one  shot  by  ac- 
cident and  the  other  died  with  lung  fever.  ' 

They  all  appear  to  be  in  good  health  that  I  have  seen.  I  have  not  seen 
any  place  yet  that  I  would  exchange  for  Somonauk  to  spend  my  days  in. 

Iowa,  a  large  portion  of  it,  is  rough  and  hilly,  and  in  one  place  we 
came  sixty  five  miles  without  seeing  a  house,  it  was  prairie,  with  one 
exception  of  about  half  a  mile,  all  the  way.  We  had  a  very  pleasant  trip 
to  here.  The  distance  here  must  be  five  hundred  miles. 

I  have  not  slept  in  a  house  since  we  left  home.  It  is  supposed  there  are 
about  two  hundred  wagons  in  this  vicinity.  There  have  quite  a  number 
turned  back  already. 

I  wish  you  would  write  about  two  and  a  half  months  before  you  think 
I  will  arrive  in  Sacramento  City. 

April  20th  I  began  this  letter  some  days  ago,  but  did  not  mail  it  on 
account  of  the  delay  in  the  mail. 

We  are  now  preparing  to  start  a  week  from  Monday.  It- has  been  very 
cold  with  considerable  snow.  There  is  scarcely  any  appearance  of  grass 
yet. 

Some  companies  have  started  and  report  says  they  are  in  snow  a  foot 
deep.  It  has  been  a  very  backward  spring.  Corn  is  now  $1.50  a  bushel. 
We  have  plenty  to  last  us  until  we  start.  I  met  Andrew  Watson  and 
three  of  Alex  McFarlands  boys  here.  There  are  people  from  Washington, 
Iowa  here  who  want  to  go  in  our  company.  We  are  to  have  no  labor  on 
the  Sabbath,  no  liquor  drinking,  no  gambling  or  other  immoral  conduct 
in  our  company.  We  elect  our  officers  today.  I  am  one  of  the  committee 
to  receive  applicants  and  examine  outfits.  We  have  thirty  three  wagons 
and  are  to  have  but  forty  and  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  men. 

Some  of  the  companies  have  bands  of  music  with  them.  We  have  black- 
smiths and  other  mechanics  in  our  company.  I  wish  you  were  along. 
There  are  women  here  with  their  husbands,  who  appear  to  enjoy  the  trip. 

285 


APPENDIX 

There  are  a  great  many  fine  men  along-  and  quite  a  number  of  the 
companies  have  regulations  similar  to  ours,  others  are  as  rough  as  city 
rowdies,  drinking  and  gambling  all  the  tiime. 

Yours  affectionately 

William  Patten 

V.    William  Patten  to  Elizabeth  Pratt  Patten. 
Elizabeth:  Laramie,  May  28,  1850. 

I  write  again  a  few  lines  with  the  wish  that  they  may  find  you  in  the 
enjoyment  of  good  health  and  all  of  the  blessings  that  are  promised 
those  to  whom  God  has  chosen  for  his  own. 

I  write  under  the  influence  of  painful  feelings.  Small  as  was  our 
number,  one  of  them  is  missing. 

James  Walker  was  taken  ill  Friday  night,  the  18th  inst.  On  Saturday 
he  drove  his  team  and  wagon  until  afternoon,  then  he  was  taken  in  so 
much  pain,  that  he  was  unable  to  do  so  any  longer,  that  night  he  was 
very  sick  and  on  Sabbath  day,  he  appeared  some  better,  in  the  earlier 
part  of  the  day  and  in  the  evening  he  was  somewhat  worse  but  the  Doctor 
that  belonged  to  our  company  did  not  think  him  seriously  ill. 

On  Monday  our  company  started  on  with  the  expectation  that  we 
would  be  able  to  follow  that  afternoon.  We  start  then  but  found  he 
was  unable  to  proceed.  The  Doctor  remained  with  us  until  Tuesday 
evening  when  we  had  to  send  him  forty  miles,  before  morning,  in  order 
to  overtake  the  company. 

On  Monday  night  James  was  very  sick.  His  disease  was  inflammation 
of  the  bowels.  We  had  another  Doctor  to  see  him  that  night  and  the 
next  morning,  when  both  Doctors  pronounced  him  convalesing. 

He  continued,  as  we  supposed  getting  better  until  Wednesday  noon, 
when  we  hailed  another  Doctor,  who  was  passing.  James  was  then  upj 
dressed  and  sitting  on  a  trunk  in  the  shade  of  the  wagon. 

We  wanted  the  Doctor's  opinion  as  to  the  propriety  of  moving  on. 

He  thought  James  convalescing  and  that  the  ride,  if  anything,  would 
be  beneficial  in  producing  the  operation  of  medicine  given  that  morning. 
We  took  the  loading  out  of  one  wagon  and  our  clothing  and  placed  a 
straw  tick  filled  with  prairie  hay  under  him  and  started  on  with  the 
company,  the  Doctor  was  with,  in  order  to  have  his  advice. 

During  the  ride  he  complained  some  of  pain  and  feeling  tired.  During 
the  night  I  gave  him  three  injections  and  in  the  morning  after  a  free 
elimination  he  seemed  to  feel  much  better  and  the  Doctor  advised  con- 
tinuing on  with  him  and  we  did  so  and  during  the  day  he  appeared  quite 
cheerful  and  told  me  repeatedly,  that  he  did  not  feel  much  pain  but  was 
weak  and  complained  considerably  of  the  heat  (it  was  very  hot)  on  our 
arrival  where  we  stopped  to  camp  he  got  out  of  the  wagon  and  sat  on 
the  eavener  and  while  there  he  had  a  sinking  spell  and  came  near  fainting. 

286 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

He  soon  revived  and  lay  down  on  some  blankets  in  the  shade  of  the 
wagon.  We  washed  him  and  was  about  changing  his  clothes  and  pre- 
paring a  bed  for  him  on  the  ground,  when  he  arose,  went  around  the 
wagon  he  was  lying  beside,  to  the  front  of  the  other  wagon,  where 
A.  B.  was  standing,  grasped  hold  of  him  and  sank  to  the  ground  dead, 
without  a  struggle. 

You  may  judge  our  feelings.  I  cannot  describe  them.  Such  a  shock  I 
never  received  before.  We  buried  him  as  respectably  as  circumstances 
would  permit  and  proceeded  on  our  way  with  heavy  hearts.  It  is  sup- 
posed that  mortification  had  set  in  the  morning  before  the  elimination 
from  his  bowels. 

We  have  just  overtaken  our  company  at  Laramie  120  miles  from 
where  we  buried  him.  Our  Doctor  thinks  there  must  have  been  some  in- 
ternal disease  not  perceptible. 

I  wish  you  would  send  or  go  over  to  Mrs  Walker,  with  this  letter  and 
tell  her  I  intended  writing  a  more  full  account  of  his  sickness  and  death 
to  her,  but  we  have  had  to  drive  very  hard  to  overtake  our  company  and 
we  are  under  the  necessity  of  moving  on  immediately,  as  there  is  no  feed 
here  for  our  horses. 

James  wanted  that  John  should  be  advised,  not  to  undertake  this  trip 
on  account  weakness  of  the  bowels.  It  is  almost  certain  death  to  anyone 
subject  to  looseness  of  the  bowels. 

I  am  sorry  I  have  not  time  to  write  more.  I  intended  to  have  lain 
here  all  day  instead  of  little  more  than  an  hour.  I  will  try  and  write 
Mrs  Walker  from  Fort  Hall  or  Salt  Lake. 

We  are  all  as  well  as  could  be  expected.  Our  teams  are  in  good  con- 
dition. We  are  522  miles  from  the  Missouri  river  and  half  way  to  Salt 
Lake.  There  is  considerable  sickness  among  the  emigrants.  We  had  the 
small  pox  in  our  company.  I  was  vacinated  and  it  worked  well,  some 
dozen  pits  filled  on  me. 

I  shall  try  and  have  letters  ready  for  any  opportunity  of  sending  them 
after  this.  The  train  is  all  hitched  up  and  I  must  close  and  if  should 
find  feed  within  two  or  three  miles,  I  will  write  to  Mrs  Walker  this 
evening  and  bring  it  back  here  to  mail. 

We  are  leading  a  hard  life,  up  night  and  day.  It  would  take  a  heap 
of  gold  to  tempt  me  to  try  this  trip  again.  Everything  like  regularity 
has  to  be  given  up,  either  of  living  or  anything  else.  Water  is  most 
abominable.  It  is  thick  with  sand  and  clay. 

Take  good  care  of  what  you  have  for  its  very  doubtful  if  I  am  spared 
to  return,  a  great  many  are  going  back  from  here.  We  have  had  hard 
work  to  find  feed  for  our  horses,  and  our  troubles  are  just  commencing. 

You  can  have  no  idea  of  what  a  jaunt  this  is — Sand,  Sand,  Sand  to 
eat,  sand  to  drink,  sand  to  sleep  on,  and  sand  to  be  buried  in.  The  train 
is  moving  on  and  I  must  close.  May  God  bless  you  now  and  evermore. 

(Signed)        William  (Patten) 

287 


APPENDIX 

VI.  Mrs.  William  Patten  to  her  husband. 
My  Dear  Husband:  Somonauk,  June  3rd  1850 

The  letter  you  wrote  me  from  Kanesville,  I  received  the  21st  of  May 
and  Alexander  received  one  the  1 1th  of  May. 

I  presume  mine  was  delayed  or  miscarried,  it  was  so  long  in  coming. 
I  wrote  three  letters  to  Council  Bluffs,  not  knowing  but  you  might  have 
to  remain  there  some  time. 

My  second  letter  was  written  the  next  week  after  the  first.  My  prin- 
cipal object  was  to  tell  you  about  a  letter  that  was  written  by  a  man, 
who  had  traveled,  last  season,  all  over  California.  The  subject  was  the 
health  of  the  miners. 

He  said  improper  food  was  the  main  cause  of  their  sickness — that  if 
they  would  use  beef  and  fish  instead  of  pork,  use  rice,  beans  and  wheat 
meal,  instead  of  fine  flour,  Indian  meal  and  drink  chocolate,  boil  their 
food  instead  of  frying  it  and  work  reasonably,  resting  in  the  heat  of  the 
day,  they  would  enjoy  as  good  health  as  at  home.  He  thought  the  climate 
healthy. 

I  have  many  reasons  for  being  anxious  you  should  keep  well,  but  the 
main  one  is  that  you  may  come  home  sooner. 

I  feel  at  times  so  lonely,  am  like  a  divided  being,  feel  all  the  time  as  if 
something  is  lacking  to  make  things  seem  as  they  used  to,  yet  I  am  getting 
along  quite  comfortably  this  summer  but  often  think  what  shall  I  do 
next  winter?  I  do  not  want  to  stay  here  alone. 

I  do  not  like  to  go  home  to  stay  so  long.  I  sometimes  say  to  mother 
(Patten)  that  I  shall  not  worry  about  it  for  if  I  live  some  way  will  be 
provided. 

If  it  were  not  such  a  long  disagreeable  journey,  I  would  be  in  Cali- 
fornia, before  many  months.  If  you  like  the  place  so  well  that  you  would 
like  to  stay  two  or  three  years  and  think  it  best  for  me  to  come,  I  will, 
if  spared,  come  next  spring. 

I  presume  by  the  time  you  reach  Sacramento,  you  will  be  so  sick  and 
tired  of  the  long  journey  and  every  thing  there  that  you  will  almost 
shudder  at  the  thought  of  any  one  you  feel  an  interest  in,  ever  attempting 
the  journey. 

Rev  J.  P.  Miller  (pastor  of  the  South  Argyle  U.  P.  church)  is  very 
anxious  to  go  to  Oregon  this  summer,  if  the  Synod  will  give  him  an  ap- 
pointment. He  and  his  family  will  go  to  Oregon  City. 

Would  it  not  seem  strange,  should  you  visit  at  that  place,  to  find  your- 
self and  Mr  Miller  on  the  shores  of  the  Pacific. 

I  hope  you  will  be  able  to  obtain  some  agreeable  employment  through 
the  winter  as  I  know  you  would  almost  die  of  the  blues,  to  be  cooped 
up  in  some  back  place,  without  news  or  change  during  the  wet  season. 

A  number  of  letters  have  come  to  Somonauk,  since  you  left.  John 
Arnold   writes   he  is  doing  well.  Thomas  Latham  was   in   business  in 

288 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

Sacramento  and  made  $600.00  in  a  week.  Dr  Merriman  was  heard  from 
at  Chagrees.  Oliver  Pearson  is  in  Sacramento. 

May  25th,  I  sold  the  wagon  to  Peter  Dobbin  for  $65.00.  Everything 
in  my  care  seems  to  be  doing  well.  I  have  the  calf  pasture  fenced  and  the 
calf  in  it.  They  have  reduced  breaking  teams  a  good  deal  this  summer. 
Mr  Wilmarth  and  H.  Merritt  are  each  breaking  with  one  span  of  horses 
and  Mr  Hough  uses  three  horses.  The  men  breaking  for  Robert  have  a 
yoke  of  cattle.  Mother  went  to  Plainfield  last  Saturday  with  Rev.  French. 
He  preaches  there  half  the  time  this  year. 

John  Boyd  and  Mrs  Easton  joined  at  the  last  sacrament.  Simon  Boyd 
and  a  son  of  Alexander  Beveridge  have  been  here  two  weeks. 

Mr  (Robert)  Graham,  wife  and  five  children  are  here  and  more  are 
expected  in  the  fall.  Mr  French  has  a  Bible  class  at  10  A  M.  the  day's  he 
preaches  here  and  there  is  a  Sabbath  school  every  Sabbath,  under  the  care 
of  our  people. 

Mrs  Howison  was  anxious  the  last  time  I  saw  her  for  fear  you  were 
suffering  for  water  on  the  plains.  It  has  been  very  dry  here  and  very 
backwards. 

It  was  published  in  the  papers  of  the  third  week  in  May  that  the 
emigrants,  who  started  first  to  cross  the  plains  were  in  distress  and  had 
sent  back  an  express  for  assistance. 

Last  weeks  paper  states  that  gold  had  been  found  in  the  streams,  this 
side  of  the  mountains. 

Your  letter  to  the  Editors  of  the  Tribune  was  published  in  the  Tribune 
and  Gem  and  extracts  were  printed  in  the  Herald  and  Watchman  of  the 
Prairie. 

You  must  write  to  Greenwich,  N.  Y.  as  soon  as  you  reach  Sacramento, 
for  I  may  decide  to  go  home  this  fall  and  in  that  way  would  hear  from 
you  sooner.  Brother  Moses  wrote  that  he  would  have  gone  with  you, 
if  he  had  known  it  in  time. 

Brother  Nelson  wrote  he  was  glad  some  of  his  kin  had  enterprise 
enough  to  undertake  the  journey.  Remember  me  to  your  company  and 
write  particularly  about  Mr  Blair. 

I  think  Alexander  will  write  in  two  weeks.  I  want  two  letters  there 
as  soon  as  you  reach  Sacramento. 

Oliver  Pearson  starts  home  Oct  1st,  perhaps  you  can  send  your  journal 
by  him.  I  intend  writing  once  in  two  months  unless  you  direct  otherwise. 

I  hope  that  you  will  do  so  well  that  you  will  be  satisfied  to  come  home 
a  year  from  this  month,  for  if  you  live  through  next  fall,  I  do  not 
want  you  to  risk  another  there 

If  a  few  months  trial  satisfies  you  that  the  climate  does  not  agree 
with  you  the  sooner  you  come  home  the  better 

The  papers  state  more  than  forty  thousand  will  cross  the  plains  this 
summer 

Now  for  a  recipe  for  fever.  Put  as  much  salt  in  any  quantity  of 
vinegar  as  it  will  dissolve.  Take  a  tablespoon  full  at  a  time  for  an  adult, 

289 


APPENDIX 

as  an  emetic,  at  first,  then  continue  it  until  there  is  profuse  sweating, 
when  the  fever  is  rising,  take  it  as  the  stomach  will  bear,  followed  by 
copious  draughts  of  warm  herb  tea — keep  warm  until  better,  be  careful 
about  diet  and  exercise  for  a  few  days. 

It  is  recommended  for  all  kinds  of  fever,  pleurasy,  sore  throat  and 
dysentery. 

I  hope  you  will  get  some  good  dried  herbs  before  you  go  to  the  mines. 
If  you  see  Oliver  Pearson  he  can  tell  you  where  to  get  them.  Prepare 
your  salt  and  vinegar  and  keep  it  corked  for  use 

I  have  the  Water  Cure  Journal,  I  wish  you  could  have  read  them  I 
have  given  both  remedies  for  fever  and  dysentery  and  the  sick  may 
take  their  choice 

The  author  of  the  letter  mentioned  was  a  Dr  and  was  made  so  (water 
cure)  by  powerful  medicine.  The  old  practice  I  believe.  Don't  stop 
where  there  is  no  good  water 

Oh !  William,  I  did  not  think  I  should  feel  as  I  do.  Almost  every  hope 
of  future  earthly  happiness  is  associated  with  your  return,  if  disappointed 
the  future  looks  dark  and  unpromising  to  me.  Have  just  read  of  65 
miners  from  Michigan  being  murdered  by  the  Indians.  I  almost  feel 
that  I  had  rather  you  would  remain  in  San  Francisco  than  risk  your 
life  in  the  mines  but  you  will  know  when  there  what  is  best  to  do. 

No  one  that  went  from  Cambridge  (N.  Y.)  have  done  well,  the 
Argyle  boys  have  not  been  heard  from. 

I  duly  commend  you  to  God,  knowing  he  can  preserve  you  from  all 
evil,  support  you  in  every  trial  and  restore  you  to  your  family  if  it  is 
His  will.  I  rejoice  that  you  have  an  Arm  on  which  to  lean  that  can 
never  fail  you  and  that  He  has  said,  "My  Grace  shall  be  sufficient  for 
thee."  Build  on  that  foundation  and  it  will  never  fail  nor  put  to  shame. 

I  will  kiss  this  spot  and  may  your  lips  next  rest  on  it 

Write  as  often  as  you  can.  Yours  affectionate  wife 

(Signed)      Elizabeth  Patten 

VII.   Mrs.  William  Patten  to  her  husband,. 

My  Dear  Husband:  Somonauk,  June  15   1850 

The  first  week  in  June  I  wrote  you  a  full  letter,  but  fearing  some- 
thing might  prevent  its  reaching  Sacramento  I  decided  to  write  again 
and  have  Alexander  write  too,  and  think  one  will  reach  you.  Last  weeks 
paper  states  that  letters  sent  to  California  should  be  prepaid.  I  did  not 
know  it  was  necessary  when  I  sent  the  last  letter,  I  gave  you  all  of  the 
news  in  the  other  and  will  only  name  a  few  in  this.  We  are  all  well  and 
it  is  very  healthy  here 

Last  weeks  paper  states  that  grain  and  water  are  abundant  on  the 
plains,  but  that  a  number  had  died  of  cholera  in  some  companies.  The 
news  came  by  emigrants,  who  weary  of  the  journey,  had  returned. 

290 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

Letters  have  been  received  lately  from  California,  that  came  in  six 
weeks.  How  glad  I  am  they  can  come  so  soon.  You  do  not  know  how 
pleased  I  was  that  I  could  hear  from  you  so  soon  after  you  get  there. 
Many  rich  mines  have  been  lately  discovered.  Several  from  Somonauk 
have  recently  been  heard  from  and  all  expect  to  do  well  this  summer. 
If  you  have  your  health,  I  doubt  not  but  you  will  too.  All  write  it  is 
healthy  there  if  they  take  care  of  themselves 

One  gentleman,  a  physician,  who  traveled  all  over  California  last 
years  says,  that  the  only  cases  of  incurable  diseases  he  has  seen  were 
made  so  by  taking  powerful  medicines. 

If  you  have  the  means  when  you  reach  Sacramento  do  buy  the  best 
kind  of  provisions,  even  if  it  is  much  more  expensive. 

Oliver  Pearson  leaves  Sacramento  Oct  1st  and  hope  you  may  see  him 
and  can  send  by  him  your  Journal 

Robert  Graham,  wife  and  five  children  came  last  month  and  more 
are  expected  from  Ohio,  this  fall. 

Rev  James  P.  Miller  and  family  expect  to  go  to  Oregon  City  this 
summer  A  long  journey  for  one  of  his  age,  but  he  is  very  anxious  to  go. 

Elizabeth  Miller  is  to  have  $500.00  a  year  for  teaching. 

There  were  letters  from  Oregon  in  the  last  Repository  that  gave  the 
country  a  great  recommendation  and  I  almost  wish  you  were  there 
instead  of  California.  A  man  could  make  there  all  he  would  want  in  a 
few  years  and  at  the  same  time  enjoy  an  excellent  climate  and  health. 
If  you  do  stay  until  next  fall  I  wish  you  would  go  to  Oregon  to  spend 
the  rainy  season.  Common  laborers  there  receive  $50.00  a  month  and 
I  feel  sure  you  could  get  into  business  there  that  would  pay  your 
expenses.  I  suppose  you  will  go  so  far  from  Sacramento,  it  will  be  useless 
to  write  to  you  often 

It  will  be  fourteen  weeks  next  Monday  since  you  left  and  more  than 
that  many  months  before  we  meet  again 

Mother  has  been  at  Plainfield  two  weeks  and  Mrs.  Alexander  is  with 
me.  I  could  not  write  a  full  sheet  and  have  Alexander  write  and  thought 
you  would  like  to  hear  from  him. 

Yesterday  I  was  told  they  (Patten  and  Beveridge)  had  sold  over  one 
hundred  dollars  a  day,  since  their  new  goods  came. 

Mrs  Lay  and  Harriet  Fay  start  soon  for  the  east.  Colonel  Alexander 
has  been  here  today.  He  admires  the  country  very  much.  He  said  he  had 
counted  on  a  great  visit  with  you  and  was  disappointed  not  to  see  you. 
He  says  a  number  of  the  Argyle  and  Cambridge  company  went  right 
to  the  mines.  Cousin  John  Robertson  was  one  of  them.  Duncan  Hall  was 
stabbed  at  San  Francisco 

I  fear  this  will  try  your  patience  but  there  is  so  much  I  want  to  write. 
May  God  bless  you  and  keep  you  from  all  evil.  Receive  this  with  much 
love  from  your  affectionate  wife 

(Signed)      Elizabeth  Patten 

291 


APPENDIX 
GEORGE  HOWISON  TO  MR.  ALEXANDER  HENRY 

GREENWICH COUNTY  OF  WASHENTON STATE  OF  N.  Y. 

Dear  nephew  and  neice  Somonauk 

I  Received  your  letter  from  Miss  Mcneice  and  we  was  all  verry 
happy  to  hear  of  your  welfare  and  this  comes  to  let  you  know  that  we 
have  ben  but  porley  in  our  health  we  have  all  had  the  Illinois  sickness 
save  Robert  he  has  had  his  health  verry  well  we  are  all  well  except 
Margaret  and  my  self  Margret  has  been  sick  for  six  wicks  and  she  is 
verry  sore  Reduced  but  she  is  now  on  the  gain  I  am  so  as  to  be  around 
most  part  of  the  day  I  some  times  takes  the  Shakes  after  Dinner  and  at 
night  and  for  all  the  sickness  we  have  had  I  think  everything  of  Illinois 
and  if  you  saw  our  plase  you  would  think  everything  of  it  as  I  do  if  the 
boys  be  spared  to  pay  for  it,  there  is  plenty  for  them  all  to  work,  the 
place  is  240  acers  if  not  more  and  that  is  a  verry  good  farm  ther  is 
over  20  acers  of  wood  on  the  place  it  is  rather  thin  as  the  house  heath 
taken  a  good  part  of  the  principal  wood  that  was  on  it  we  have  one 
yoke  of  first  rate  oxen  2  cows  2  calves  and  10  acers  of  first  rate 
timber  at  Shabners  grove  these  things  are  all  payed  the  wood  cost  them 
57  Dollars  and  25  cents  money  is  verry  search  hear  at  present  they  want 
a  nother  yoke  of  oxen  so  as  that  they  may  brack  up  some  more  of  the 
land  to  have  plenty  to  work  on,  they  can  get  plenty  to  work  on  the 
share  but  there  is  no  profit  on  working  on  others  land  when  one  has 
plenty  of  ther  own  Alexander  if  you  and  your  Wife  was  hear  you  Could 
have  a  good  living  if  you  was  farely  Stearted  by  working  half  of  your 
time  that  you  work  in  Greenwich  I  should  like  verry  well  to  see  you 
planted  down  beside  us  and  we  would  have  a  talk  about  old  langsin  My 
wife  thinks  so  much  of  Isabel  for  a  neigbour  that  she  wished  verry 
much  to  be  near  hir  Alexander  Mcneice  has  taken  up  his  residence  hear 
after  traveling  throu  all  the  stats  from  Salem  to  Illinois  he  came  to  us 
and  stoped  with  Mr.  Beveridge  for  about  3  or  4  weeks  and  looked 
around  hear  and  Could  not  sut  him  self  then  away  he  went  to  Wisconsin 
and  spent  4  weeks  there  and  returned  back  to  us  and  acknoleged  that 
this  is  the  only  place  he  had  seen,  therefore  Alexander  I  would  wish 
verry  much  that  you  would  come  out  along  with  Thomas  Bevaredge  and 
my  Alexander  as  I  think  that  Alexander  will  be  Coming  out  to  us  we 
had  a  very  pleasant  passage  from  Troy  to  Buflalow  at  buflalow  we 
went  to  the  Steam  boat  the  neil  and  set  of  at  7  oclok  at  night  and  Just 
as  we  was  sterting  a  thunder  storm  broke  out  but  the  carred  on  and  we 
had  a  verry  rough  passage  all  the  night  on  the  morning  hir  main  shaft 
brok  and  then  we  had  to  ly  about  a  day  till  they  got  hir  fixed  and  then 
they  got  hir  wrought  in  to  erie  and  then  the  madison  came  up  the  next 
morning  and  we  was  all  put  in  to  hir  and  the  neil  returned  back  to 
Euffalow  to  be  repaired  the  were  a  proper  night  sickness  and  puking  but 
we  had  a  verry  pleasant  passage  after  that  when  we  landed  at  Chicago 
James  were  redey  for  us  we  had  as  rough  a  passage  from  Chicago  to 

292 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

Somonauk  the  rods  was  so  bad  owing-  to  the  wet  season  the  oldest  settelrs 
niver  saw  such  a  season  in  Illinois,  the  rods  is  good  now  we  have  had 
a  good  Iry  fall  we  have  had  some  verry  havey  thunder  storms  in  the 
harvest  which  did  a  great  deal  of  damage  to  the  crops  we  had  6 
acers  of  ots  you  niver  saw  the  better  of  them  either  in  Scotland  or  in 
america  and  it  nocked  them  flat  to  the  ground  if  they  had  ben  properly 
attended  to  they  would  turned  60  bushels  if  not  more  to  the  acer  we 
have  a  pretty  far  crop  of  spring  wheat  and  our  Corn  heath  don  verry 
well  considering  the  most  part  of  it  had  neither  plow  nor  how  in  it, 
you  have  had  a  great  many  Deaths  around  you  I  was  very  sorry  to 
hear  of  Mrs  Mc  dougal  and  Mrs  Matthew  and  Mrs  allexander  John 
Shaw  Mrs  Becop  thomas  henry  hath  tired  in  keeping  house  death  makes 
great  alteration  I  hear  that  William  Henry  is  still  going  to  law  but  it  is 
with  a  woman  now  I  hope  that  his  plea  is  good  and  that  he  will  gain 
the  day  give  my  best  respects  to  Petter  Alexander  his  Wife  and  famely 
I  estem  them  verry  highly  for  ther  kindness  to  me  and  my  famely  give 
my  Respects  to  Hiram  Matthew  and  Docter  Mack  W  Thomas  while 
James  Boyd  sam  curtus  Moses  Curtus  Mr  Stewart  and  Jared  Stewart 
Walter  Stewart  Mr  Henry  and  his  famely  both  single  and  married  Mr. 
John  Alexander  and  his  famely,  give  my  Respects  to  thomas  Beveridge 
and  his  wife  my  Wife  has  hir  best  respects  to  Petter  Alexander  and  his 
wife  and  often  she  speaks  about  them  I  think  more  about  greenwich  than 
Scotland  the  people  is  settling  very  fast  around  us  now  ther  is  5  fameleys 
settled  around  us  this  Summer  and  mor  expected  therefor  Alexander  I 
wish  you  to  Come  and  Sellet  as  soon  as  you  can  for  we  want  good 
neighbours  and  if  James  Henry  was  hear  he  would  be  transported  in 
working  the  land  hear  a  man  that  is  brought  up  on  a  farm  hear  would 
be  unfit  to  work  on  a  farm  in  greenwich  being  so  mountaneous  My  Wife 
has  hir  best  Respects  to  william  henry  and  she  is  glad  to  hear  that  he  is 
going  to  get  such  a  good  match  Isabel  my  wife  thinks  that  you  have 
don  well  by  your  Cows  considering  the  pasture  She  often  said  that  they 
would  have  a  poor  pasture  with  his  great  Stock  of  horses  you  didnot 
mention  how  Alexander  Crop  of  corn  turned  out  on  hogs  back  if  he 
had  40  or  50  bushels  to  the  acre  if  we  wer  all  to  gether  what  a  chate 
we  would  have  about  things  but  I  dont  wish  to  mention  what  is  past  and 
gone  I  was  verry  glad  to  hear  that  your  father  is  so  well  put  up  I  wish  it 
may  long  continue  for  old  people  neds  nursing  and  if  he  comes  to  ned 
it  I  could  have  wished  him  a  better  one  I  was  sorry  to  hear  that  Robert 
was  seized  with  such  a  dangerous  Complent  it  would  answer  very  ill 
with  a  empty  pocket  but  I  am  glead  to  hear  that  he  is  in  the  way  of 
Recovery  I  am  sorry  that  he  heath  left  you  in  such  a  bad  situation  but 
the  thing  that  cannot  be  cured  must  be  endured  every  one  has  there 
troubels  and  ther  triels  but  when  they  are  brought  on  with  there  own 
hands  they  have  the  more  to  reflect  but  I  wish  that  we  had  you  both 
out  at  Illinois  and  I  think  that  you  would  be  Releived  out  of  a  great 
maney  of  your  troubels  you  did  not  mention  aney  thing  about  the  wood 

293 


APPENDIX 

on  willfams  hill  I  hope  that  you  will  asist  Alaxander  as  fare  as  in 
your  power  as  you  know  that  Alexr  is  very  bashful  and  give  him  a  eye 
look  and  what  you  done  for  him  we  will  done  as  much  for  you  if  provi- 
dence spares  you  and  us  to  meet  if  we  can  we  will  do  as  much  for  you 
I  have  now  news  at  present  I  do  not  middel  with  other  folks  afairs  and 
therefore  if  I  cannot  write  what  is  good  a  dont  write  what  is  bad  my 
famely  Joines  in  wishing  you  both  well  and  hops  to  see  you  both  soon. 
No  mor  at  present  but  Remains  your  Welwisher  George  Howison  De- 

rect  George  Howison  0  ,    ^     ,    ,, 

b  Somonauk  Deckalb 

Illinois 

Illinois  November  4th,  1844 

MR.  J.  M.  HUMMEL  TO  MR.  ANDREW  GRAHAM 

My  Old  Friend  Andrew:  Sandwich,  111.,  March  4,   1927. 

You  pulled  the  right  string — to  the  bureau  of  information  desired.  I 
ought  to  know  about  the  Beveridge  double  log  house.  My  grandfather, 
John  Eastabrooks,  and  his  sons  Decatur  and  Bradbury,  came  to  Squaw 
Grove,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  in  the  spring  of  18  35,  about  the  time 
the  government  was  removing  the  Indians  across  the  Mississippi,  and 
settled  on  claims  north  of  the  Grove.  John  Sebree  had  settled  on  the 
south  side  the  fall  before — 18  34. 

In  18  36  John  Eastabrooks  and  son,  Bradbury,  made  a  deal  with 
Reuben  Root  for  the  land  that  later  became  the  property  of  George 
Beveridge.  Root  also  had  owned,  by  Squatter's  Rights,  the  farm  of  the 
late  William  G.  Beveridge  but  had  sold  his  rights  to  Lucian  Frisbee. 

The  log  cabin  that  Robinson,  the  trapper,  had  built  early  in  18  34  not 
affording  sufficient  room  for  John  Eastabrooks'  family,  he  built  a  larger 
log  cabin  near  it  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Somonauk  Creek,  fronting 
south,  a  few  yards  north  and  east  of  the  bridge  now  spanning  the  stream. 
In  18  36  John  Eastabrooks  returned  to  Pennsylvania  and  brought  back 
his  wife  and  younger  children,  using  a  farm-wagon  which  my  father 
built  for  him. 

My  father,  Peter  F.  Hummel,  a  son-in-law  of  John  Eastabrooks,  was 
persuaded  by  Mr.  Eastabrooks'  glowing  accounts  of  the  possibilities  of 
the  West  to  exchange  his  property  in  Pennsylvania  for  Bradbury  Easta- 
brooks' one-half  interest  in  the  Root  land,  and  in  November,  1837, 
started  for  his  western  home  with  his  wife  and  five  boys.  The  boys 
were  taken  with  measles  on  the  boat.  Arriving  in  Chicago  in  the  midst 
of  winter  weather,  with  deep  snow  on  the  ground,  the  exposure  was  so 
severe  on  the  journey  out  to  the  claim  that  a  relapse  was  the  consequence 
and  three  of  the  boys,  aged  seven,  five  and  three  years,  died.  They  were 
buried  in  one  grave  in  the  cemetery  now  known  as  Oak  Ridge,  on  the 
Somonauk  Creek,  five  miles  farther  south.  This  triple  grave  was  the 
second  grave  made  in  Oak  Ridge,  the  well-known  pioneer,  Anthony  Har- 

294 


FAMILY  LETTERS 

mon,  having  laid  a  sister  there  in  1836.  Oak  Mound  was  later  chosen  for 
a  burial-ground. 

When  father  Hummel  came  another  log  cabin  was  built  adjoining 
the  Eastabrooks'  cabin  and  the  two  families  lived  side  by  side,  the  place 
thenceforth  being  designated  "the  double  log  house."  This  house  faced 
the  road  running  east  and  west,  somewhat  nearer  the  road  than  the 
present  house.  The  rooms  were  quite  large — had  to  be  for  two  families. 
I  came  to  life  in  1841,  so  do  not  remember  father  and  John  Eastabrooks, 
but  my  memory  retains  a  vivid  picture  of  this  double  log  house.  I  have 
been  in  it  but  have  no  recollection  of  a  fireplace.  As  a  small  boy  of 
seven  and  eight  years  I  frequently  saw  it  when  it  was  the  Beveridge 
property,  and  I  pronounce  the  accompanying  picture  perfect. 

In  the  spring  of  18  38  John  Eastabrooks  took  over  my  father's  interest 
in  the  claim  and  father  settled  on  a  new  claim  two  miles  east  of  Freeland 
Corners  on  prairie  land.  Later  in  the  year  George  Beveridge  made  a 
trade  with  John  Eastabrooks,  giving  him  a  quantity  of  woolen  cloth,  a 
team  and  conveyance  for  his  Squatters  Rights  and  improvements. 

The  home  of  Robinson,  the  trapper,  built  in  18  34,  disappeared  in 
1835.  In  the  spring  of  1838  Eastabrooks  bought  father's  interest  in  the 
Beveridge  land  and  father  built  a  larger  house  near  Frank  Wilson's, 
and  two  log  houses  after  that.  Later  that  season  George  Beveridge  came. 
He  had  been  interested  in  the  manufacture  of  woolen  cloth.  Bringing 
with  him  a  quantity  of  cloths  he  persuaded  grandfather  Eastabrooks 
to  let  him  have  his  claim  in  exchange  for  cloth,  telling  him  he  could 
sell  it  to  settlers  and  make  a  profit.  So  they  traded. 

Mr.  Beveridge  bought  a  yoke  of  oxen,  a  plow  and  other  implements 
from  Lucien  Frisbee,  whose  children  all  died  of  consumption. 

All  that  the  settlers  could  sell  was  Squatter's  Rights,  as  the  land 
was  not  surveyed  until  1847  and  1848.  Then  deeds  were  given  at  $1.25 
an  acre.  I  recall  several  instances  when  greedy  individuals  took  deeds 
for  claiming,  when  parties  had  improvements,  thereby  trying  to  steal 
the  improvements. 

The  settlers  were  organized  to  protect  each  other's  rights  and,  when 
such  dishonest  methods  were  resorted  to,  settlers  waited  on  the  depre- 
dators with  tar  and  feathers,  and  unless  they  turned  over  the  property  to 
the  rightful  owners  they  stripped  and  tar  and  feathers  applied  and  run 
out  of  the  country.  I  attended  one  such  case  of  self  appointed  justice  and 
came  near  seeing  another  one  but  the  settlers  formed  a  wedge,  with 
pitchforks  and  clubs  in  their  hands,  and  as  they  neared  the  house  one 
of  those  inside  came  running  out  with  a  white  flag  and  agreed  to  leave 
the  matter  to  three  old  settlers  to  settle,  and  chose  Squire  Shonts,  E.  L. 
Brady,  and  Banker  Johnson.  They  decided  the  land  must  be  re-deeded 
and  the  settlers  paid  whatever  expense  they  had  been  to.  Settlers  had  to 
band  together  to  protect  their  rights. 

My  father  enlisted  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican  War,  1847-48. 
In  1849  he  went  to  California  in  search  of  gold  but  did  not  live  to 
return. 

295 


APPENDIX 

These  were  hard  years  for  us.  Our  family  was  separated  for  a  time. 
Four  of  us  children  were  out  doing  our  bit  to  save  the  home  and  make 
a  living.  At  seven  years  of  age  I  was  put  out  for  a  time  to  work  for 
my  board,  living  with  Heman  Westf all,  west  of  Freeland  Corners,  where 
John  Fanning  now  lives.  My  work  was  milking  cows  and  doing  other 
chores,  dropping  corn  and  potatoes,  in  fact  any  thing  a  boy  could  do. 
My  brother  James  was  doing  the  same  thing  for  William  French.  It 
was  kind  of  these  men  to  give  us  the  job.  Sometimes  I  got  permission 
to  go  fishing,  would  go  to  the  point  where  the  road  crossed  the  Somon- 
auk  by  the  George  Beveridge  home.  I  always  went  to  the  house  to  get  a 
drink  and  of  course  "Aunt  Ann"  would  invite  me  in. 

When  I  was  eight  years  of  age  I  drove  three  yoke  of  oxen  breaking 
prairie.  My  wage  was  12^  cents  a  day  from  sun  to  sun.  As  there  was 
no  money  I  was  paid  in  corn,  wheat,  fat  pork,  beans — anything  to 
sustain  life  and  keep  body  and  soul  together.  We  had  a  mortar  to  reduce 
corn,  wheat  and  other  cereals  to  make  them  edible.  Our  electric  light  was 
a  strip  of  a  rag  in  a  cup  or  a  saucer  in  which  was  lard.  After  candle 
moulds  came,  candles  were  indulged  in  only  by  the  most  well-to-do.  I 
first  cut  grain  with  a  sickle,  later  with  the  cradle.  Small  grain  was  all 
stacked  and  threshed  by  means  of  flails  in  the  fall  of  the  year.  The 
manipulation  of  the  flail  is  quite  an  art.  After  a  few  years  we  got 
things  straightened  out  and  were  at  home  again.  I  think  the  double  log 
house  was  removed  about  1850  or  1851. 

Now  I  have  digressed  and  rambled  hither  and  thither — and  the  most 
part  of  what  I  have  written  you  did  not  request,  therefore  I  shall  make 
no  charge. 

Anybody  can  draw  a  double  log  house }  I  am  not  a  draughtsman,  so 
would  make  poor  work  of  it.  Yours, 

(Signed)      J.  M.  Hummel 

THE  REVEREND  J.  P.  MILLER,  PASTOR  OF  THE 
SOUTH  ARGYLE  CHURCH 

The  following  was  received  too  late  to  be  included  in  the  reference 
to  the  "  parent  church  "  on  page  244.  The  church  records  show  that  the 
Rev.  James  P.  Miller  was  installed  over  the  congregation  at  South  Argyle 
in  October,  1829.  In  1844  he  was  appointed  by  the  Eastern  Synod  to 
visit  the  Somonauk  Church  and  was  with  that  congregation  for  two  or 
three  Sabbaths,  giving  them  wise  counsel  and  great  encouragement  in 
their  Christian  work.  He  resigned  in  185  1  to  accept  a  missionary  appoint- 
ment to  Oregon,  where  he  died  three  years  later.  The  South  Argyle 
Church  furnished  so  large  a  proportion  of  the  pioneer  members  of  the 
church  at  Somonauk  that  relations  between  the  two  were  very  close.  The 
Rev.  Miller  was  entertained  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Beveridge  during 
his  missionary  visit.  For  letters,  etc.,  referring  to  him,  see  Index. 


296 


Outline  Map  of  Argyle  Patent,  with  names  of  the  Lot  Owners,  now  first 
published  from  the  original  survey,  made  in  1764  by  Archibald  Campbell 
and  Christopher  Ya'es. — "The  Fort  Edward  Book,"  by  Robert  0.  Bas- 
com,  1903.  (Keating,  Pub.,  Fort  Edward,  X.   Y.) 


THE  ARGYLE  PATENT  AND  ACCOMPANYING 
DOCUMENTS 

Present  day  Americans  can  with  difficulty  realize  the  laborious  steps 
by  which  their  ancestors  secured  their  first  foothold  upon  the  shores 
of  this  continent.  To  show  how  one  by  one  the  obstacles  were  over- 
come that  stood  between  Laughlin  Campbell's  colonists  and  the  estab- 
lishment of  their  homes  in  the  Crown  lands  granted  to  them  in  the  name 
of  King  George  III.,  in  eastern  New  York,  the  documentary  evidence 
of  that  struggle,  continued  through  an  entire  generation,  is  here  for  the 
first  time  brought  together  in  -print.  The  gathering  of  these  documents 
has  taken  half  a  lifetime  to  accomplish  and  is  a  distinct  service  for  from 
them  may  be  gleaned  much  that  is  of  personal  interest  to  a  great  number 
of  the  descendants  of  the  original  grantees.  It  will  be  noted  that  in  the 
time  that  elapsed  between  the  original  petition  and  the  granting  of  the 
Patent  some  changes  in  names  occur  due  to  death,  marriage  and  other 
causes.  While  the  period  of  waiting  tried  the  patience  of  the  colonists  it 
was  providential  that  the  lands  were  not  at  once  thrown  open,  for  those 
of  limited  means  could  not  have  maintained  themselves  upon  the  new 
land  in  the  period  before  it  became  productive.  q    jyj#  jvi. 

Document  I 
The  first  of  the  Campbell  colonists  landed  in  New    York   City   on 
September   22,    1738.      The   following   petition   of   heads    of   families, 
dated  October  17,  1738,  was  presented  to  the  Governor  of  the  Province. 

To  the  Honourable  George  Clark  Esqr., 

Lieutenant    Govenour   and    Commander    in    Chief    of    the    Province 

of  New  York  &c. 

The  Humble  Petition  of  Alexander  Montgomerie  Alexander  Mc- 
Naught  (on)  Peter  McArthur  and  Daniel  Carmichil  in  behalf  of 
themselves  &  twenty  Six  other  heads  of  ffamilys  who  came  from  North 
Britain  and  lately  arrived  in  this  province 

Sheweth  That  Your  Petitioners  being  informed  that  there  is  a  cer- 
tain Tract  of  Land  at  or  near  the  Wood  Creek  in  the  County  of 
Albany  now  vested  in  the  Crown  And  Your  Petitioners  being  desirous 
to  Sue  out  his  Majesty's  Letters  Patent  for  Seven  Thousand  two  hun- 
dred acres  thereof  In  order  to  cultivate  &  improve  the  Same 

Your  Petrs.  Therefore  humbly  pray  Your  Honr.  will  be  favour- 
ably pleased  to  grant  to  them  their  Heirs  &  Assignes  His  Majesties 
Letters  Patent  for  the  said  quantity  of  Seven  Thousand  two  hundred 
acres  of  the   Lands  aforesaid   in  Such  proportions  &  in   such   Manner 

297 


APPENDIX 

and    under    Such    Quitt   sale    Conditions    provisoes    Limitations    &    Re- 
stritions  as   to    Your   Honr.   &    this   Honble.    Board    Shall    Seem    Meet 
And  Yr.  Petrs.  Shall  Pray 

Alexander  Montgomery  in  behalf  of 
themselves  &  rest  off  ffamilys 

(Endorsed) 

Petn.  of  Alexander  Montgomery  &c  for  7200  Pat  ye  Wood  Creek 
1738.  Octr  17th  read  &  referred  &  reported  by  Mr.  Horsemanden  in 
favor  of  ye  Petrs.  Petn.  Warrt.  not  desired  till  they  had  taken  a  view 
of  the  lands.      List  of  No.   familys  proposed   to  settle   inclosed. 

John  McNeal  proposes  to  bring  in  4  familys  on  a  grant  of  a 
thousand  acres  to  him. 

Ronald  Campbell  the  same  proposal  as  Mr.  McNeal.  Lands  vested 
in  ye  Crown  at  or  near  the  Wood   Creek   in  ye   County   of  Albany. 

To  begin  at  the  North  bounds  of  Saragtoga  at  the  East  Side  of  the 
river  and  soe  to  the  Northward  back  of  the  Pattens  as  far  as  the  Car- 
ing place  and  along  the  Caring  place  &  the  Wood  Creek  soe  farr  as 
the  false  on  the  sd.  Creek.  Saml.   Campbell. 

On  the  Petn.  of  Alexander  Mtgomery  &  Compe. 

report — That  ye  Lands  be  granted  in  such  proportions  &  Divisions 
to  each  fTamily  yat  List  therewith  produced 

Condn — that  such  ffamilys  respectively  Sho'd  on  or  before  the  1st. 
of  June  then  next  Settle  on  ye  Said  Lands  and  continue  to  inhabit 
there  unless  removed  by  fforce,  and  in  case  removed  by  fforce  & 
obliged  to  quit  their  respective  Settlemts.  or  Dwellings  to  return 
thereto  again  So  Soon  as  Such  fforce  Sho'd  be  removed. 

A  List  of  ffamilies  from  the  Island  of  North  Britane 

CHILDREN" 

Patrick    McArthour    &    wife 6  300 

Alexr  Mc  Arthour  &  wife 6  200 

Duncan    Mc  Arthour   &   wife 6  300 

Neill   Mc   Arthour   &    wife 5  200 

Ronald    Mc   Dugall    &   wife 4  300 

Allan  Mc  Dugall  &   wife 5  300 

Archd.    Mc   Dugall    &    wife 3  300 

Donald   Carmichell   &  wife 5  300 

Neill  Mc  Conn  &  wife 5  200 

Donald    Mc   Cloud   &   wife 3  300 

Alexander    Mc    Naught    (on) 6  300 

Donald   Mc   Eachern    &    wife 3  100 

James  Gillies   &   Broer 5  400 

Duncan   Tailor   &    wife 3  300 

Archd.   Mc   Kellar   &   wife 3  200 

Charles  Mc  Kellar  &  wife 3  200 

Dudly  Mc  Duffie   &   wife 3  200 

298 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

CHILDREN 

Neill  Mc  Donald  &  wife 4  200 

John  Mc  Kenzie  &  wife 7  240 

George  Mc  Kinzie  &  wife 7  150 

John   Mc  Niveen   &   wife 4  200 

Cormig  Mc  Keay  &  wife 3  100 

Duncan    Gilchrist    &    wife 3  200 

James   Campbell    &   wife 6  200 

Archibald  Mc  Eachern  &  wife 3  200 

Donald   Mc  Millan   &  wife 2  100 

Archd  Jonstone  &  wife 2  100 

Malcolm  Mc  Duffie  &  wife 7  150 

Donald   Campbell    4  400 

Alexr    Montgomery     8  560 

7,200 
Document  II 

The  foregoing  -petition  not  having  been  granted,  the  colonists  resided 
elsewhere  for  a  quarter  of  a  century  and  on  the  23  d.  of  February  1763 
certain  of  them  again  petitioned  the  Governor. 

Petition  by  Alexander  McNaughten,  Neal  Shaw,  Ronald  McDougall, 
Rich'd  Campbell  and  one  hundred  others  23  d.  of  February,  1763 ;  The 
Report  of  the  Council  of  the  City  of  New  York  held  the  2d.  of  March, 
1763  and  the  Minute  recording  the  granting  of  the  Petition  21st.  May, 
1763. 

To  His  Excellency  the  Honourable  Robert  Moncton  Captain 
General  and  Govenour  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  New  York  and 
Territories  thereon  depending  in  America  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same 
and  Major  General  of  his  Majestys  forces  &c  &c  &c 

The  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  Humbly  Sheweth 

That  some  of  your  Petitioners  are  part  of  the  fellow  Emigrants 
of  and  others  are  descended  from  Persons  now  Deceased  who  also  did 
emigrate  with  the  Deceased  Capt.  Campbel  from  North  Britain  with 
design  to  form  a  Settlement  in  the  Northern  frontiers  of  this  Province 

That  your  Petitioners  are  informed  that  Donald  Campbel  George 
Campbel  and  James  Campbel  Sons  of  the  said  Capt.  Campbel  Have 
lately  Preferred  their  humble  Petition  to  your  Excellency  setting  forth 
the  General  encouragement  formerly  given  by  the  Government  of  this 
Province  upon  which  the  Aforesaid  Emigration  was  founded  the 
Obstructions  that  were  raised  against  so  laudible  and  useful  a  Design 
the  Great  distress  and  Poverty  to  which  the  Emigrants  were  reduced 
by  the  disappointment  of  their  Scheme  and  the  said  Petitioners  well 
grounded  hopes  of  Effecting  by  the  Assistance  of  Yoyr  Present  Peti- 
tioners and  their  relations  in  Argylshire  the  Settlement  formerly  in- 
tended on  the  Lands  which  the  said  Capt.  Campbel  had  in  view  part 
whereof  Sufficient  for  the  Purpose  are  still  Vacant.  And  therefore 
praying  of  your  Excellency  the  Royal  Grant  to  them  the  said  Donald 

299 


APPENDIX 

Campbel  George  Campbel  and  James  Campbel  and  their  Associates  for 
one  hunderd  Thousand  Acres  in  fee  to  be  elected  in  one  Tract  on  or 
near  the  Wood  Creek  between  the  falls  of  that  Creek  on  the  North 
and  Batten  Kill  on  the  South  a  line  Twenty  Miles  from  Hudsons 
River  on  the  East  and  that  River  the  East  side  of  Lake  George  and  a 
South  Line  thence  to  Hudsons  River  on  the  West  upon  such  Terms 
as  your  Excellency  may  think  necessary  to  Prescribe. 

And  Your  Petitioners  further  beg  leave  to  inform  Your  Excellency 
that  the  Government  of  this  Province  never  treated  the  Said  Captain 
Campbells  fellow  Emigrants  as  Dependants  on  him  but  as  Principals 
in  the  Then  intended  Settlement  as  appears  by  the  Copy  of  the  Minutes 
of  Council  hereunto  Annexed  expressive  of  the  favourable  Intentions 
of  the  Government  towards  those  Emigrants  which  however  were 
Prevented  from  being  carried  into  Execution  by  the  last  War  which 
rendered  a  Settlement  Impracticable  in  that  part  of  the  Country  and 
together  with  the  poverty  of  those  Emigrants  compelled  them  to 
abandon  the  Enterprise. 

That  as  the  late  remarkable  Success  of  his  Majestys  Arms  in  the 
Total  reduction  of  Canada  has  removed  every  obstacle  to  a  Settlement 
of  that  part  of  the  Country  your  present  Petitioners  humbly  beg  leave 
to  renew  their  aplication  to  the  Government  in  favor  of  the  said 
Emigration  which  your  Petitioners  Conceive  the  more  necesssary  as  the 
said  other  Petitioners  have  never  thought  Proper  to  advise  with  Your 
Present  Petitioners  on  the  Subject  matter  of  their  said  Petition  how- 
ever proper  they  thought  it  to  avail  themselves  of  a  pretended  Asso- 
ciation with  your  present  Petitioners  on  the  subject  matter  thereof 

That  your  Petitioners  are  informed  that  the  said  other  Petitioners 
relying  on  the  merit  of  their  said  Father  which  was  common  with  that 
of  his  fellow  Emigrants  flatter  themselves  with  an  expectation  of 
appropriating  so  large  a  proportion  of  the  Lands  which  they  Petition 
for  as  would  not  Leave  a  Quantity  of  Good  Lands  sufficient  for  the 
Encouragement  of  those  whom  they  are  pleased  to  call  their  Associates 

That  tho  it  is  not  the  design  of  your  Petitioners  to  endeavour  at 
Obstructing  the  Bounty  of  the  Crown  in  favor  of  the  said  other 
Petitioners  yet  it  is  humbly  conceived  that  the  very  reasons  offered  by 
the  latter  will  have  weight  to  prevent  any  grant  in  their  favor  which 
would  be  inconsistent  with  the  General  Interest  of  those  whom  they 
call   their  Associates. 

That  many  of  your  Present  Petitioners  and  some  of  the  Other 
Emigrants  and  their  families  tho  they  long  felt  the  ill  Effects  of 
former  Disappointments  are  at  length  by  the  Smiles  of  Providence  on 
their  honest  endeavours  not  only  capacitated  to  make  larger  Settlements 
for  themselves  than  were  Originally  intended  for  each  of  the  said 
Emigrants  but  are  also  able  and  willing  to  Assist  the  Others  of  their 
fellow  Emigrants  and  their  families  whose  Circumstances  will  require 
Aid  in  the  Execution  of  the  General  plan  Besides  which  as  the  fam- 

300 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

ilies  of  many  of  the  Emigrants  consist  of  Several  Persons  Grown  to 
Maturity  your  Petitioners  conceive  that  each  parcel  of  One  Thousand 
Acres  will  Speedily  be  Cantoned  out  into  several  farms  and  the  Coun- 
try thereby  most  effectually  Settled 

Your  Petitioners  therefore  most  humbly  pray  your  Excellency 
that  the  Royal  Grant  may  issue  either  to  your  Present  Petitioners  and 
their  other  Emigrants  and  their  families  seperately  or  in  Conjunction 
with  the  said  other  Petitioners  for  One  Thousand  Acres  of  Land  in 
fee  to  each  of  your  present  Petitioners  and  the  Other  Emigrants  now 
living  and  the  families  of  those  who  are  dead  from  and  out  of  the 
Tract  Above  Mentioned  and  described  in  one  entire  Parcel  within  the 
Bounds  following  that  is  to  say  Beginning  at  or  about  the  head  of 
South  Bay  Extending  Southerly  to  the  Lands  Petitioned  for  by  Eben- 
ezer  Lacey  and  his  Associates  to  extend  Eastwardly  towards  New 
Hampshire  Line  and  Westerly  by  Mountains  and  Vacant  Lands  still 
vested  in  the  Crown  and  that  on  such  Terms  as  your  Excellency  in 
Your  Superior  Wisdom  may  think  necessary  to  Prescribe 

And  Your  Petitioners  shall  ever  Pray  &c. 
City  of  New  York 
23d.  of  February  1763.  [List  of  names  omitted.] 

At  a  Council  held  at  Fort  George  in  the  City  of  New  York  the 
17th.  October  1738 

PRESENT 

The  Honourable  George  Clarke  Esqr.  Lieutenant  Govenour 
Doctor    Colden  j  Mr.   Chief  Justice 

Mr.  Livingston  r  Mr.  Ccurtlandt 

Mr.  Kennedy  Mr.  Horsmanden 

The  Petition  of  Alexander  Montgomery,  Alexander  McNaught(on) 
Peter  McArthur  and  Daniel  Carmichel  in  behalf  of  themselves  and 
twenty  six  other  heads  of  families  who  came  from  North  Britain  and 
lately  arrived  in  this  Province  was  presented  to  the  Board  and  Read 
Setting  forth  that  the  Petitioners  were  informed  that  there  was  a 
Certain  Tract  of  Land  at  or  near  the  Wood  Creek  in  the  County  of 
Albany  vested  in  the  Crown  The  Petitioners  therefore  Prayed  his 
Majestys  Letters  Patent  for  Seven  thousand  two  hundred  Acres  thereof 
in  such  Proportions  and  Divisions  and  in  Such  manner  as  to  this 
Honourable  Board  Should  Seem  fit 

Which  Petition  having  been  read  was  referred  to  the  Gentlemen 
of  the  Council  or  any  five  of  them 

His  Honour  withdrawing  the  Council  resolved  into  a  Committee 
to  consider  of  the  aforegoing  Petition 

The  Committee  being  agreed  on  their  report  by  them  to  be  made 
thereon  and  his  Honour  acquainted  therewith. 

His   Honour   returned   to   the    Council   Chamber   and   took    his   Seat 

Ordered  that  the  said   report  be   made   immediately 

301 


APPENDIX 

Then  Mr.  Horsmanden  Chairman  of  the  Committee  to  whom  the 
said  Petition  was  referred  in  his  place  reported  that  the  Committee 
had  duly  weighed  and  Considered  of  the  same  and  as  to  the  Petition 
of  the  aforesaid  Alexander  Montgomerie  and  Company  the  Committe 
were  of  Opinion  that  his  Honour  do  Grant  to  the  Petitioners  the 
Quantity  of  lands  by  them  prayed  for  in  such  Proportions  and  Divi- 
sions of  each  family  as  in  a  List  therewith  are  Particularly  mentioned 
and  under  the  Conditions  that  such  families  respectively  shall  on  or 
before  the  first  day  of  June  next  Settle  on  the  said  Lands  and  con- 
tinue to  inhabit  there  unless  removed  by  force  and  in  Case  the  Peti- 
tioners their  heirs  or  Assigns  or  any  of  them  Shall  at  any  time  be 
forced  by  any  Enemy  or  otherwise  to  go  off  the  land  and  Quit  their 
respective  Settlements  or  Dwellings  they  shall  return  thereto  again  and 
inhabit  there  as  soon  as  such  Force  shall  be  removed  and  that  they 
can  Inhabit  there  with  Safety 

Which  report  on  the  Question  being  put  was  agreed  to  and  ap- 
proved of  and  this  Board  does  humbly  advise  and  Consent  that  his 
Honour  do  grant  to  the  said  Petitioners  his  Majestys  Letters  Patent 
for  the  Lands  by  them  prayed  for  with  the  Conditions  and  Provisions 
above  mentioned. 
(Endorsed:) 

To  his  Excellency  the  Honourable  Robert  Monckton  Captain  Gen- 
eral &  Governour  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  New  York  &ca  &ca  &ca 

The  Petition  of  a  Number  of  the  fellow  Emigrants  of  Capt. 
Laughlen  Campbell  &  the  descendants  of  others  of  his  fellow  Emi- 
grants praying  a  grant  of  Lands  in  the  Northern  parts  of  this  Province 
at  the  place  formerly  intended  for  their  Settlement. 

2d.  March    1763   Read  and  referred  to  a  Committee. 

21st.  May.  Reported  and  granted,  &  Warrant  of  survey  issued 
dated  21   May   1763. 

G.  W.  Banyar  D.  W.  Con. 

Document  III 

The  following  is  the  refort  of  the  Committee  of  the  Council  ufon 
the  foregoing. 

At  a  Committee  of  his  Majesty's  Council  of  the  Province  of  New 
York  held  at  Fort  George  in  the  City  of  New  York  the  Second  Day 
of   May    1763. 

PRESENT 

Mr.   Horsmanden  \  Mr.  Walton 

Mr.  Smith  I  Mr.  DeLancey 

Mr.  Watts  J  Earl    of    Stirling 

May  it  Please  your  Excellency. 

In  Obedience  to  your  Excellency's  Order  in  Council  of  the  second 

day  of   March  last,   Referring  to   us   the   Petition    of   Alexander   Mc- 

302 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

Nachten  and  others,  to  the  Number  of  One  hundred  and  seven  persons, 
some  of  them  Emigrants,  and  others  of  them  Descendants  from  Per- 
sons  now  deceased,   who   emigrated    with    Captain    Lauchlin    Campbell 
from  North  Britain  in   the  years    1738,    1739   and    1740,    on   the   En- 
couragement given  by  Colonel  Cosby   Governor   of   this  Province,   in 
Certain  proposals  made  and  published  by  him  with  the  advice  of  the 
Council  in  the  year   1734,  for  the  settlement  of  the  Northern  Frontier 
by  the  Protestants   from   Europe — praying  a   Grant   of    One   thousand 
Acres   of   Land  to  each   of   the   Petitioners,   and    the   other   Emigrants 
now  living,  and  the  Families  of  those  who  are  Dead,  to  be  laid  out 
in  one  entire  Tract,  Beginning  at  or  about  the  Head  of  South   Bay, 
Extending   Southerly   to   the   lands   petitioned    for    by   Ebenezer   Lacey 
and    his   Associates,    to    Extend    Eastwardly    towards    New    Hampshire 
Line,  and  Westerly  by  Mountains  and  vacant  Lands  still  vested  in  the 
Crown — The  Committee  have  considered  and  duely  weighed  the  said 
Petition,  and  having  made  the  fullest  Enquiry,   they  could,  as  to  the 
Persons   now   living  who   so   emigrated,   or   the   Descendants   of   those 
who  are  deceased;  are  humbly  of  Opinion  that  your  Excellency  do  by 
his  Majesty's  Letters  Patent  grant  to  the  Persons  hereafter  named  the 
Quantity  of  Forty  seven  thousand   four  hundred  and   Fifty  Acres   of 
Land,  to  be  laid  out  in  one  Tract,  vested  in  the  Crown  lying  on  the 
East  side  of  Hudson's  River,  within  the  County  of  Albany,  adjoining 
on   the   South   to   the   Ten   thousand   Acres   of   Land   proposed    to    be 
Granted   to   Donald    Campbell   and   others   and    Batten    Kill;    On    the 
West  to  the  Lands  granted  to  John  Schuyler  and  others   on  the  East 
to  the  Lands  proposed  to  be  Granted  to  Alexander  Turner  and  others; 
and    to    extend    so    far   Northward    as    to    Contain    the    full    Quantity 
above  Expressed.     That  the  same  be  granted   on   the   Quit  Rent  Pro- 
visoes Limitations  and  Restrictions  prescribed  by  his  Majesty's  Instruc- 
tions, and   that  the  said   Grant  be   made   to   Duncan   Read   Alexander 
Montgomery   Alexander    McNachten,   Neal   Shaw,    Henry    Van    Vleck, 
Archibald    Campbell,    George    Campbell,    Neal    Gillaspie,    Alexander 
McLean  and  Ennis  Graham  and  their  Heirs,  as  Trustees  To  hold  the 
Quantity  of  five  hundred  Acrse,  part  of  the  said  Larger  Tract  so  to 
be  Granted  as  aforesaid,  in  Trust  to   and   for   the   use  of  a   Minister 
and    Schoolmaster    resident    on    the    said    larger    tract    for    ever,    And 
to  hold  all  the  Residue  and  Remainder  of  the  said  Larger  Tract,  in 
Trust  to  and  for  the  Respective  uses  of  the  several  persons  named  in 
the  Schedule   Hereunto   annexed,   and    their    Heirs,   in   the   Proportions 
in   and   by  the   said   Schedule   alloted   to    the   said   persons  respectively. 
And    that   the   whole   of   the   said   Tract    of    Land    be    erected    into   a 
Township  with  the  usual  priviliges  by  the  Name  of  Argyle. 

All  which  is  nevertheless  humbly  submitted 
New  York  By  Order  of  the  Committee. 

2d  May    1763.  Wm.  Smith  Chairman. 

(Endorsed) 

303 


APPENDIX 


Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Petition  of  Alexander  McNachten 
and  others. 


SCHEDULE 


ACRES 

Alexander    Montgomery    ...600 

Daniel        Johnson    350 

Elizabeth    McNeil    300 

Archibald    Campbell    Senr.    .300 

John    McCarter    400 

John    Shaw    Senr 300 

James    Gilles     500 

Duncan   Taylor    600 

Donald    McMullen     500 

Mary   McCloud    250 

Edward    McCay     300 

Ronald    McDougall     400 

John    McDougall     400 

Archibald    McDougall     450 

Dougall    McCaller     550 

Edward    McCaller     500 

Alexander    McNauchten     ....  600 

Archibald    McNiven     350 

Patrick    McArthur     350 

John    McCarter    350 

Duncan   McCarter    450 

Neil    McEachron     450 

Neil   McDonald    500 

Duncan    Gilchrist     500 

Florence    McKinzie    200 

George    McKinzie     400 

Malcolm    McDuffie    550 

John    McDuffie     250 

Dougall    McAlpine    300 

Robert  Campbell  Senr 350 

William    Fraser    350 

Hannah    McEhen     400 

James    Nutt     300 

Elizabeth    Cal     250 

Neil    McPhaden    300 

John   McGuire    400 

Catharine    McCarter    200 

Doug-all    Thompson     400 

Mary  Anderson    300 

Robert    Campbell    Junr 450 

Charles   McAlister    300 


ACRES 

Barbary    McAlister     300 

Jannet   Ferguson    250 

William   Clark    350 

Issabela    Livingston     250 

John    McEuen    500 

James    Campbell     300 

Duncan    McDuffie    350 

Allan    McDonald     300 

Duncan  Read    600 

John    Shaw    Junr 300 

Neil    Shaw    600 

Archibald   McGowne    300 

John    McGowne    Junr 250 

John    McGowne    Senr 300 

Donald    McMullen    450 

Ann    Duffie     350 

Duncan    McGuire     500 

Duncan    Lindsay     350 

Neil    Carmichel     300 

John  Read    450 

Neil    Carmichel     300 

Duncan    McDougall     500 

Archibald    Campbell   Junr.  ...250 

John   McFail    300 

Archibald    McCollum    Senr...  3  50 

John   Mclntire    350 

Marian    Campbell     250 

Duncan    Campbell   Senr 450 

Alexander    Christie     350 

Alexander    McArthur    250 

Daniel   Clark    350 

Daniel    Shaw    350 

Hugh    Mcllvray     200 

Dougall  McDuffie    350 

Duncan    Mc   Phaden 300 

Archibald    McCollum   Junr...  350 

David   Torry    300 

William    Hunter     300 

John    McArthur     300 

John    McCollum     300 

Duncan    Mc   Kinvan 350 


304 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 


ACRES 

Mary    Anderson     300 

Hugh   Montgomery    300 

Mary   Beton    300 

Alexander   McDonald    250 

Mary   Graham    300 

William   Graham    300 

Hugh    McDougall    300 

Angus    McDougall     300 

Rachel     McNiven     300 

John   Gilchrist    300 

Alexander   Gilchrist    300 

Donald   Mclntire    350 

Catharine    McLean     300 

Archibald    McEuen     300 

Catharine    Campbell     250 

Jane   Cargyle    250 

Florence    McVarick    300 

Catharine   Shaw    250 

Archibald  Mcllfender    300 

Catharine    Mcllfender     250 

Roger   Reed     300 

Mary    Torry     250 

Angus    McDougall     300 

Malcolm    Campbell    300 

Mary    Campbell     250 

Robert    McAlpine     300 

Duncan   Campbell  Junr 300 

Duncan  Campbell  the  third..  300 

Elizabeth   Campbell    300 

Ann   Campbell    300 

John  Mclntire    300 

Elizabeth    Cargill     250 

James    Cargill     300 

John    Cargill    300 


ACRES 

Margaret    Cargill     

.  .  .250 

Ann    McArthur    Senr 

. . .250 

Jane    Widrow     

.300 

John    Campbell     

.300 

Mary   Hammels    

.  .  .250 

Margaret    McAlister 

.  .  .250 

Angus    Graham     

. . .300 

Roger    McNeal    

300 

Anna   McArthur    

300 

Margaret  Gilchrist    

250 

John    Torry     

300 

John    McCore    

300 

Archibald    McCore    . 

300 

Charles    McArthur    

350 

James   McDonald    

350 

Alexander    Campbell 

350 

George   Campbell    

300 

Duncan   Shaw    

300 

Alexander   McDougall    .  . 

350 

Eleanor  Thompson  Widow 

of    Roger   Thompson.  .  . 

300 

Hugh    McCarty     

300 

Neal  McEuen's  Daughter 

Marian  McEuen    . 

200 

Elizabeth     Frazier     .  .  . 

200 

Elizabeth    Ray     

200 

Parsonage    and     School    .  . 

500 

6250 

11300 

14250 

15650 

47450 


The  above  is  the  Schedule  Referred  to  in  the  Report  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Petition  of  Alexander  McNachten  and  others  of  the  2d  day 
of  May,  1763. 

By  Order  of  the  Committee.  William  Smith,  Chairman. 

(Endorsed)  2d  May,  1763: 

Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Petition  of  Alexander  McNachten  and 
others,  21st  May,  1763.    Read  and  Confirmed.     No.  4.    Entered. 


305 


APPENDIX 


Document  IV 

Memorial  of  Duncan  Read  &  four  others  praying  that  the  Memo- 
rialists may  be  the  sole  Trustees  in  the  Grantes  ordered  to  the  Persons 
who  emigrated  with  Captain  Lauchlin  Campbell  deceased.  14,  Sepr. 
1763.     Read  in  Council. 

To  the  Honourable  Cadwallader  Colden  Esqr.  His  Majesty's  Lieu- 
tenant Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  New 
York  and  the  Teritories  Depending  Thereon  in  America. 

In  Council 

The  Memorial  of  Duncan  Reid,  Neil  Shaw,  Archid.  Campbell, 
Alexander  Mc  Nachten  &  Neil  Gillaspie  five  of  the  Patentees  Nomi- 
nated for  the  Tract  of  land  Surveyed  and  Laid  out  for  Sundry 
Scotch  People  who  Emigrated  with  Captain  Lauchlin  Campbell. 

Sheweth  That  your  Memorialist  find  themselves  utterly  unable 
to  Collect  or  Raise  the  Monies  Necessary  towards  the  obtaining  of 
the  Patent  from  the  Several  Persons  who  have  Shares  therein,  many 
of  them  (altho'  very  desirous  of  having  the  Land)  yet  (on  Various 
Pretents)  Refuse  Paying  any  money  whatsoever  while  Others  Insist 
that  thev  will  not  Pay  any  until  the  Patent  is  Actually  Issued  and 
those  who  are  willing  to  Pay  Their  Proportions,  keep  back  the  Money 
in  Justice  to  themselves,  until  the  others  Comply. 

That  your  memorialists  and  some  Others  of  the  Patentees  were 
about  Raising  a  sum  Sufficient  for  this  Purpose  upon  Interest,  and  had 
Actually  Procured  the  same  but  some  of  them  Refseing  to  Execute 
the  Bond  for  the  Repayment  Thereof,  this  Method  was  Drop't  so 
that  your  Memorialists  are  utterly  at  a  Loss  what  Measures  to  Pursue, 
as  Delays  in  suing  out  the  Pattent  will  be  Attened  with  the  worst 
Consequence  to  your  Memorialists  and  those  others  who  are  Actually 
Prepared  to  Settle  in  May  next  having  for  that  Purpose  Delivered  up 
the  farms  they  now  live  on  to  Their  Landlords,  so  that  your  memo- 
rialists would  humbly  Suggest  to  your  honor  that  the  Names  of  such 
Persons  who  are  Present  Nominated  as  Patentees  and  who  Refuse 
Joining  in  Raising  Money  for  this  Necessary  Purpose  be  Struck  out 
and  the  Number  Confined  to  your  Memorialists  who  will  undertake 
to  Raise  such  sums  of  Money  as  shall  be  Necessary,  and  that  a  Clause 
May  be  added  in  the  Pattent  for  the  Security  of  your  Memorialists 
(who  must  Otherwise  run  too  great  a  Risque)  that  they  shall  not  be 
Obliged  to  Convey  to  Their  Associates  the  respective  Quantities  of 
Land  Alloted  to  them  before  Each  of  Them  do  first  Pay  or  Secure 
their  Just  Proportion  of  the  fees  and  Expenses  which  shall  Attend  the 
Obtaining  the  Patent,  this  Method  your  Memorialists  humbly  Con- 
ceive would  Remove  all  Difficulties. 

306 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

And  Therefore  humbly  Prays  that  the  same  may  be  adopted  or 
Such  Other  Measure  as  to  your  Honor  Shall  Appear  to  have  a  greater 
Tendency  to  facilitate  the  obtaining-  Of  the  Patent 

And  your  Memorialist  will  ever  pray 
New  York  Septr.    14th.    1763. 

Duncan   Read 
Neal  Shaw 
Archid.    Campbell 

his 
Neil     X     Gillaspie 

mark 
Alexr.   Mc  Nachten 

Document  V 

Petition  dated  February  1st,  1764  to  the  Honourable  Cadwallader 
Colden  Esqr.  his  Majesty's  Lieut.  Govenour,  and  Commander  in  Chief 
of  the  Province  of  New  York,  and  the  Territories  depending-  thereon 
in  America.     In  Council 

The  Humble  Petition  of  Duncan  Read,  Neal  Shaw,  Archibald 
Campbell,  Alexander  McNachten  &  Neal  Gillaspie,  Trustees  for  the 
Emigrants   of   Captain   Lauchlin   Campbell, 

Humbly  Sheweth 

That  your  Petitioners  run  great  Hazard,  in  becoming-  Security  for 
all  Such  Costs,  and  Charges,  as  shall  Attend  the  Obtaining  his  Maj- 
esty's Letters  Patent,  for  the  Lands  Intended  to  be  Granted,  subdivid- 
ing the  said  Lands  &  Conveying  the  same  in  the  Proportions  alloted 
to  each  Party,  and  that  no  Method  is  Laid  out  whereby  they  Can 
Reimburse  themselves  the  Money  they  shall  Expend,  in  Cases  where 
any  of  the  Parties  shall  Delay  Neglect  or  refuse  to  Pay  his  Proportion 
of  the  costs  and  Charges. 

Your  Petitioners  Therefore  humbly  Pray  that  a  Clause  may  be 
Inserted  in  the  Letters  Patent,  Empowering  your  Petitioners,  or  the 
Survivor  or  Survivors  of  them,  to  sell  and  Dispose  of  the  shares  of 
such  Grantees,  as  do  not  within  such  Certain  time  as  to  your  Honour 
shall  seem  Reasonable,  Pay  unto  your  Petitioners  all  such  Expences 
as  shall   Attend   the  Execution   of  Their  Trust. 

And  your  Petitioners  will  Pray  &c;  Duncan    Read 

Neal    Shaw 

ACRES 
Alexander   Montgomery    g00 

John    McNeil's    four    Daughters 300 

Ann   McDougall,    (Campbell)    Archibald   the   Son   &   Isabell    the 

Daughter     300 

Neil   McArthurs  Widdow  &   5   Childrn 400 

307 


APPENDIX 

ACRES 

Donald    Shaws   Son    and   Daughter 300 

Elizabeth  Sutherland  &  four  Childn 500 

Duncan    Taylor    his   Wife   &    8    Childn 600 

Donald   McMillen   Wife   and   five   Childn 500 

Donald    McClouds    Daughter 250 

Cormack   McCoy,   Widdow    Son   &   Daughter 300 

Ronald  McDougall,  Wife  &   3    Childn 400 

Allan    McDougalls,    Widdow    &    5    Childn 400 

Archibald  McDougall,  Wife  and   5   Childn 450 

Archibald    McKellers,    Widdow    &    8    Child 550 

Charles    McKellers,    Widdow   &    7    Childn 500 

Alexander  McNaught(on)    Wife   4   Children   and    8   Grand 600 

John  McNevin  Dead  left   1  son  and  four  Daughters 350 

Patrick  McArthur,  Wife  2   Sons  and  One  Daughter 350 

Duncan  McArthur's  Widdow  2   Sons  and  2  Daughters 350 

Alexadder    McArthurs    7    childn 450 

Donald    McEachern   Widdow   &    Six    Children 450 

Neil    McDonald    Wife    &    6    Children 500 

Duncan  Gilchrist  Wife   &    6   Children 500 

John    McKinzie's   Daughter 200 

Geo.  McKinzie  Wife  &  four  Childn 400 

Malcolm   McDuffie   Wife   &    7    Children 550 

Dudley   McDuffie's    2    Children 250 

Dugal  McAlpine  Wife  and   2  Children 300 

Donald   Campbell   Widow   4   Children 350 

Robert   Fraziers   four   Children 350 

Archibald  McEuen  Dead  left  2  Childn 250 

James  Nut  and   Son 300 

John   ColwelPs  Daughter  Widow   Martin 250 

Neil  McPhadon  Wife  and  Daughter 300 

John  McGuire  Wife  and  4  Children 400 

Patrick  McArcher's  (Eacherns)   Widdow 200 

Dugal  Thompson   Wife  three  Sons  &  Neice 400 

Patrick  Anderson's  Widdow   and  two   Daughters 300 

Duncan  Campbells  Widdow  3   Sons  and  One  Daughter 350 

Charles   McAlister's   2   Sons 300 

Duncan  McAlister's    1    Son  &   2   Dau'rs 300 

Donald   Ferguson's  Daughter  &   Neice 250 

William   Clarke  Wife  Son  &  Daughter 350 

Donald  Livingston's  Widdow  &  Daur 250 

John  Mc  Euen  Wife  and  five  Sons 500 

Murdoc    Mclnnish   Descendants 300 

Archibald  McDuffie  Dead   1   son 250 

Neil  McEnnish   (Mclnnish)  Widdow  married  to  Alan  McDonald  200 

308 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

ACRES 

Duncan  Reid  brought  a  Wife  and   8   Children 600 

Neil    Shaws   Grand    Children 30Q 

Neil  Shaw  the  Eldest 300 

Archibald    McGowne    2     Children 300 

Malcolm    McGowne  Dead    1    son 250 

John    McGowne   and    Wife 30o 

Donald  McMillen,  Wife  and  5   Childn '  '  450 

Archdd.  McDuffiie  Widdow  &  2  Daurs  &c 350 

Duncan  McGuire  Wife  &  5  Childn.  &c 500 

Donald    Lindsey    1    Son    2    Daurs.   &c 35 0 

Neil  Galaspie  Wife  2   Sons  &  one  Daur 450 

John  Reid  Wife  and  five  Children 450 

Dugal   Carmichael   Dead,    1    son 300 

Duncan  McDougall  Wife  &  five  Childn 500 

Archibald  the  son  of  Duncan  Campbell 250 

John  Mc  Fail  Widdow  Son  and  Daur 300 

Archibald   McCollom    2    Sons    1    Daur 350 

Nicholas  McEntire  Widdow  2  Sons  and  2  Daughters 350 

James    Storie    Dead    4    Children 300 

Alexander  Hunter  Dead  Son  and  Daur 300 

Alexander  McArthur  Widdow  &    1   son 300 

Alexander    Campbell   Dead    2    Daurs 250 

Duncan  Campbell  Wife  &  four  Childn 45  0 

John   Christies  Widdow  and   four  Childn 350 

John  McArthur  one  Son  and  one  Daur 250 

Angus  Clarke  2  sons  &   1   Daur  &  Grand  Children 350 

John  Shaws  Widdow  and  four  Childn 350 

John    Mc    Elery    (McGillivray 200 

Dudley  McDuffies  Widdow  2  Sons  &  2  Daughters 350 

Duncan    Mcphadons    2    Sons 300 

Archibald    McColloms  son   &    Daur 350 

Archibald  McColemans  Widdow  One  son  and  two  Daughters.  .  .  300 

Duncan  McKinven  and   four  Childn 350 

Mary  Anderson  and  two  Daughters 300 

Hugh    Montgomery     300 

Mary    Beacon     300 

Jennet    Fergusons    Son 250 

Mary   Grahams   Children 300 

Alexander  Grahams  two  Sons 300 

Hugh    McDougall     300 

Marian    McNevan     300 

Rachel    McNevan     300 

John    Gilchrist     300 

Alexander    Gilchrist     300 

309 


APPENDIX 

ACRES 

Donald    Mclntire     350 

Lauchlin    McLeans   Daur.    Cath: 300 

Malcolm    McEuens    3    Children 300 

Catharine    Campbell    250 

Jane  Cargyl  now  Mrs.   Van  Vleet 250 

Florence   McVarrick    300 

Catharine    Shaw     250 

Archibald    Mcllfender    300 

Roger    Reed     300 

George    Storys    Child 250 

Angus    McDougall     300 

David   Shaws  Widdow 250 

Malcolm   Campbell    300 

Archibald    Campbells    Daur 250 

Robert   McAlpine    300 

Duncan    Campbell     300 

William    Campbells    Childn 300 

Archibald    Campbells    Childn 300 

Catharine    Mcllfender     250 

Anne    Campbell     300 

John    Mclntire    of   Pensilvana 300 

Elizabeth    Cargill    250 

James    Cargyl    300 

John    Cargyl    300 

Margt.    Cargyl    250 

Anna   McArthur    250 

Jane    Widrow     300 

John    Campbell    300 

Mary    Hammels   Daughter 250 

Margaret    Mcalister    250 

Angus    Graham    300 

Roger    McNeal     300 

Anna    McArthur    300 

Margaret    McGilchrist    250 

John    Tory     300 

For  a  Parsonage  &  School 500 

John    McCore     300 

Archibald    McCore    300 

Charles    McArthur     350 

Alexander    McDonald     300 

Alexander  Campbell    350 

George  Campbell  Son  of  John  Campbell 300 

Neal  and  Duncan  Shaw,  Sons  of  John  Shaw 300 

Alexander    McDougall     350 

310 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

Document  VI 
The  Argyle  Patent 

George  the  Third  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  Great  Britain  France 
and  Ireland  King  Defender  of  the  Faith  and  so  forth — To  All  to 
whom  these  Presents  shall  come  Greeting 

Whereas  Alexander  MacNachten  and  others  our  Loving  Subjects, 
to  the  Number  of  one  hundred  and  seven  Persons  in  the  whole,  some 
of  them  Emigrants,  and  others  of  them  Descendants  of  several  Per- 
sons now  deceased,  who  emigrated  with  Captain  Laughlin  Campbell 
from  North  Britain  in  our  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  in  the  Years 
of  our  Lord  One  thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirty  Eight,  One 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirty  nine,  and  one  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred and  fortyj  with  Design  to  Form  a  Settlement  on  the  northern 
Frontier  of  our  Province  of  New  York,  on  the  Encouragement  given 
by  William  Cosby  Esquire  then  Governor  of  the  said  Province,  in 
Certain  proposals  made  and  published  by  him,  with  the  Advice  of 
the  Council  of  the  said  Province  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  One  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  and  thirty  four;  for  the  Settlement  of  the  north- 
ern Frontiers  of  the  said  Province  by  Protestants  from  Europe,  by 
their  humble  Petition  presented  to  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  Robert 
Monckton  our  Captain  General  and  Governor  in  Chief,  in  and  over 
our  said  Province  of  New  York,  and  the  Territories  thereon  depend- 
ing in  America,  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  and  Major  General  of 
our  Forces,  and  read  in  our  Council  for  our  said  Province  on  the 
second  day  of  March  last,  did  humbly  pray  a  Grant  of  one  Thousand 
Acres  of  Land  to  each  of  them  the  Petitioners,  and  the  others  the 
said  Emigrants  now  living,  and  the  Families  of  those  other  Emigrants 
who  are  dead,  to  be  laid  out  in  one  entire  Tract,  beginning  at  or 
About  the  Head  of  South  Bay  extending  southerly  to  the  Lands  Peti- 
tioned for  by  Ebenezer  Lacey  and  his  Associates  to  extend  Eastwardly 
towards  New  Hampshire  Line,  and  westerly  by  Mountains  and  vacant 
Lands  still  vested  in  the  Crown,  on  such  Terms  as  our  said  last  men- 
tioned Captain  General  and  Governor  in  Chief  of  our  said  Province 
of  New  York  should  think  necessary  to  prescribe}  which  Petition 
having  been  then  and  there  duly  weighed,  read  and  refered  to  a 
Committee  of  our  said  Council,  our  said  Council  did  afterwards  on 
the  Twenty  first  day  of  May  following  in  Pursuance  of  the  Report 
of  the  said  Committee  humbly  advise  the  same  our  Governor  by  our 
Letters  Patent  to  grant  the  Quantity  of  Forty  seven  Thousand  four 
Hundred  and  fifty  Acres  of  Land  to  be  laid  out  in  one  Tract  vested 
in  the  Crown,  lying  on  the  East  side  of  Hudson's  River  within  the 
County  of  Albany  adjoining  on  the  South  to  the  Ten  Thousand 
Acres  of  Land  proposed  to  be  granted  to  Donald  Campbell  and  others 
and  Batten  Kill,  on  the  west  to  the  Lands  granted  to  John  Schuyler 
and  others,  on  the  East  to  the  Lands  proposed  to  be  granted  to  Alex- 
ander  Turner    and   others,    and    to    extend    so    far    Northward    as    to 

311 


APPENDIX 

contain  the  full  Quantity  above  expressed  (on  the  Quit  Rent,  Pro- 
visoes, Limitations  and  restrictions  prescribed  by  our  Royal  Instruc- 
tions) to  Duncan  Reid,  Alexander  Montgomery,  Alexander  Mac 
Xachten,  Ncal  Shaw,  Henry  Van  Vleck,  Archibald  Campbell,  George 
Campbell,  Neal  Gillaspie,  Alexander  Mac  Lean,  and  Ennis  Graham, 
and  their  Heirs  as  Trustees;  to  hold  the  Quantity  of  Five  hundred 
Acres  part  of  the  said  larger  Tract  so  to  be  granted  as  aforesaid  in 
Trust  to  and  for  the  Use  of  a  Minister  and  Schoolmaster  Resident 
on  the  said  larger  Tract  forever:  And  to  hold  all  the  Residue  and 
Remainder  of  the  said  larger  Tract  in  Trust  to  and  for  the  respective 
Uses  of  the  Several  Persons  named  in  the  Schedule  to  the  said  Report 
annexed,  and  their  Heirs  in  the  Proportions  in  and  by  the  said  Schedule 
allotted  to  the  said  Persons  respectively,  and  that  the  whole  of  the 
said  Tract  of  Land  should  be  erected  into  a  Township  by  the  Name 
of  Argyle. 

And  Whereas  afterwards  on  the  Twenty  ninth  Day  of  September 
now  last  past;  on  the  Memorial  of  Duncan  Reid,  Neal  Shaw,  Archi- 
bald Campbell,  Alexander  Mac  Nachten  and  Neal  Gillaspie,  five  of 
the  above  named  Trustees  presented  unto  our  trusty  and  well  beloved 
Cadwallader  Colden  Esquire  then  and  now  our  Lieutenant  Governor 
and  Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  our  said  Province  of  New 
York  and  the  Territories  thereon  depending  in  America,  in  Council, 
it  was  for  the  Reasons  in  the  said  Memorial  assigned,  ordered  that 
the  said  Memorialists  Duncan  Reid,  Neal  Shaw,  Archibald  Campbell 
Alexander  Mac  Nachten  and  Neal  Gillaspie  should  remain,  and  they 
the  said  Memorialists  were  by  the  said  order  appointed  sole  Trustees 
to  whom  the  Grant  of  the  said  Lands  should  be  made  in  Trust  to 
and  for  the  several  Uses  of  the  several  Persons  whose  Names  are 
inserted  in  the  Schedule  above  mentioned  in  such  Proportions  as  are 
therein  expressed  to  be  conveyed  by  the  said  Trustees,  or  the  Survi- 
vors or  Survivor  of  them  to  the  said  several  Persons  respectively  their 
Heirs  or  Assignes,  they  first  paying  the  Charge  of  such  Conveyance 
and  their  Proportionable  Part  of  all  such  Fees  and  Expences  as  the 
said  Trustees  shall  be  put  to  in  obtaining  this  our  Grant,  and  in 
making  the  Division  of  the  said  Lands. 

Wherefore  In  Obedience  to  our  Royal  Instructions  our  Commis- 
sioners appointed  for  the  setting  out  all  Lands  to  be  granted  within 
our  said  Province,  have  set  out  for  them  the  said  Duncan  Reid,  Neal 
Shaw,  Archibald  Campbell,  Alexander  Mac  Nachten  and  Neal  Gil- 
laspie, in  Trust  to  and  for  the  Uses  aforesaid,  All  that  certain  Tract 
or  Parcel  of  Land  Situate  lying  and  being  on  the  East  side  of  Hudson's 
River  in  the  County  of  Albany,  Beginning  on  the  east  Banck  of  the 
said  River  at  the  south  west  Corner  of  a  Tract  of  Land  granted  to 
James  Bradshaw  and  others,  called  Kingsbury;  and  runs  thence  along 
the  south  Bounds  of  the  said  Tract,  East,  four  Hundred  and  ninety 
two  Chains  to  the  south  east  Corner  thereof;   and  then  along  the  East 

312 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

Bounds  of  the  said  Tract  called  Kingsbury  North  four  Chains  Then 
East  two  Hundred  and  thirty  six  Chains;  Then  South  Eight  Hundred 
and  Eighty  two  chains,  to  the  Middle  of  a  Stream  of  Water  called 
Batten  Kill;  then  down  the  Middle  of  the  said  Stream  as  it  runs, 
including  the  half  of  the  said  Creek  or  Kill  called  Batten  Kill,  to 
the  East  Bounds  of  a  Tract  of  Land  lately  surveyed  for  Donald 
Campbell  and  others;  Then  along  the  said  East  Bounds  of  the  said 
Tract  surveyed  for  Donald  Campbell  and  others  North,  Three  Hun- 
dred and  sixty  seven  Chains  to  the  north  east  Corner  thereof,  and 
then  along  the  North  Bounds  of  the  same  Tract  West  Three  Hundred 
and  seventeen  Chains  to  the  East  Bounds  of  a  Tract  of  Land  Granted 
to  John  Scuyler  Junior  and  others,  then  along  the  said  East  Bounds 
of  the  last  mentioned  Tract  North,  Nine  Degrees  East,  six  Hundred 
and  fifty  one  Chains  to  the  North  East  Corner  of  the  said  Tract, 
Then  West  Thirty  three  Chains;  then  South  Sixty  Degrees  West,  six 
Chains;  to  a  Tract  of  Land  Granted  to  Stephen  Bayard;  Then  along 
the  North  Bounds  of  the  last  mentioned  Tract,  West  two  Hundred 
and  five  Chains  to  Hudson's  River;  Then  up  the  Stream  of  the  said 
River  as  it  runs  to  the  Place  where  this  Tract  first  began  containing 
Forty  seven  Thousand  four  Hundred  and  fifty  Acres  of  Land  and 
the  usual  Allowance  for  Highways;  and  in  setting  out  the  said  Tract 
of  Land,  our  said  Commissioners  have  had  regard  to  the  Profitable 
and  unprofitable  Acres,  and  have  taken  Care  that  the  Length  thereof 
doth  not  extend  along  the  Banks  of  any  River  otherwise  than  is 
conformable  to  our  Royal  Instructions  for  that  Purpose,  as  by  a 
Certificate  thereof  under  their  Hands  bearing  Date  the  first  Day  of 
the  month  of  February  last,  and  entered  of  Record  in  our  Secretary's 
Office,  may  more  fully  appear  .  .  .  Which  said  Tract  of  Land  so  set 
out  as  aforesaid  according  to  our  said  Royal  Instructions,  We  being 
willing  to  Grant  to  them  the  said  Duncan  Reid,  Neal  Shaw,  Archibald 
Campbell,  Alexander  Mac  Nachten  and  Neal  Gillaspie  their  Heirs 
and  Assignes  with  the  several  Powers  and  Priviledges  and  to  upon 
and  for  the  several  Uses  and  Trusts  herein  after  particularly  men- 
tioned, limited  and  appointed  of  and  concerning  the  same  and  of  and 
concerning  every  part  and  parcel  thereof  respectively — 

Know  Ye  That  of  our  Especial  Grace  certain  Knowledge  and  meer 
Motion,  we  have  given,  granted,  ratified  and  confirmed,  and  Do  by 
these  Presents  for  us  our  Heirs  and  Successors  give,  grant,  ratify  and 
confirm,  unto  them  the  said  Duncan  Reid,  Neal  Shaw,  Archibald 
Campbell,  Alexander  Mac  Nachten  and  Neal  Gillaspie  their  Heirs  and 
Assigns  for  ever;  All  That  the  said  Tract  or  Parcel  of  Land  set 
out,  abutted,  bounded  and  described  in  manner  and  form  as  above 
mentioned,  together  with  all  and  singular  the  Tenements  Heredita- 
ments Emoluments  and  Appurtenances  thereunto  belonging  or  apper- 
taining: And  also  all  our  Estate,  Right,  Title,  Interest,  Possession, 
Claim    and    Demand    whatsoever   of    in    and    to    the   same    Lands   and 

313 


APPENDIX 

Premises,  and  every  Part  and  Parcel  thereof  }  and  the  Reversion  and 
Reversions,  Remainder  and  Remainders,  Rents,  Issues  and  Profits 
thereof,  and  of  every  Part  and  Parcel  thereof} 

Except  and  always  reserved  out  of  this  our  present  Grant,  unto 
us  our  Heirs  and  Successors  for  ever  all  Mines  of  Gold  and  Silver, 
and  also  all  white  or  other  Sorts  of  Pine  Trees  fit  for  Masts,  of  the 
Growth  of  twenty  four  Inches  Diameter  and  upwards,  at  Twelve 
Inches  from  the  Earth,  for  Masts  for  the  Royal  Navy  of  us  our 
Heirs  and  Successors,  To  Have  And  To  Hold  the  said  Tract  of 
Land,  Tenements  Hereditaments  and  Premises  hereby  granted  ratified 
and  confirmed,  or  hereby  meant  mentioned  or  Intended  so  to  be  and 
every  Part  and  Parcel  thereof  with  their  and  every  of  their  appurte- 
nances (Except  as  is  hereinbefore  excepted)  unto  them  the  said 
Duncan  Reid,  Neal  Shaw,  Archibald  Campbell,  Alexander  Mac  Nach- 
ten  and  Neal  Gillaspie  their  Heirs  and  Assigns  for  ever,  to  for  and 
upon  the  several  and  respective  Use  and  Uses,  Intents  and  Purposes 
herein  after  expressed  limited  declared  and  appointed  of  and  concern- 
ing- the  same  and  of  and  concerning  every  part  and  Parcel  thereof, 
and  to  and  for  no  Other  Use  or  Uses  Intents  or  Purposes  whatsoever} 
That  is  to  say, 

To  Have  And  To  Hold  The  Quantity  of  Six  hundred  Acres  to- 
gether with  the  Usual  Allowance  for  Highways,  Part  and  Parcel  of 
the  said  Tract  of  Land  and  Premises  hereby  granted  ratified  and  con- 
firmed With  the  Appurtenances  to  the  same  respectively  belonging 
(Except  as  is  herein  before  excepted)  In  Trust  to  and  for  each  of 
the  Persons  severally  herein  next  undermentioned  (being1  Persons 
named  in  the  Schedule  herein  before  mentioned)  their  Heirs  and  As- 
signes,  that  is  to  say,  to  and  for  the  only  Proper  and  Seperate  Use 
and  Behoof  of  Alexander  Montgomery,  Duncan  Taylor,  Alexander 
Mac  Nachten,  Duncan  Read  and  Neal  Shaw,  and  each  of  them  their 
and  each  of  their  Heirs  and  Assignes  respectively  foreyer,  and  to  and 
for  no  other  Use  or  Uses  Intent  or  Purpose  whatsoever 

And  to  Have  and  to  Hold  the  Quantity  of  Five  Hundred 
and  fifty  Acres  together  with  the  usual  Allowance  for  Highways,  also 
Part  and  Parcel  of  the  said  Tract  of  Land  and  Premises,  hereby 
granted  ratified  and  confirmed,  with  the  Appurtenances  to  the  same 
respectively  belonging  (except  as  is  herein  before  excepted)  in  Trust 
to  and  for  each  of  the  Persons  severally  herein  next  undermentioned 
(being  also  Persons  named  in  the  Schedule  herein  before  mentioned) 
their  Heirs  and  Assignes,  that  is  to  say;  To  and  for  the  only  proper 
and  separate  Use  and  Behoof  of  Dougall  Mac  Caller  and  Malcolm 
Mac  Duffie  and  each  of  them  their  and  each  of  their  Heirs  and 
Assignes  respectively  for  ever,  and  to  and  for  no  other  Use  or  Uses 
Intent  or  Purpose  whatsoever 

And  to  Have  and  to  Hold  the  Quantity  of  Five  Hundred 
Acres,  together  with  the  usual  Allowance  for  Highways  also  Part  and 

314 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

Parcel  of  the  said  Tract  of  Land  and  Premises  hereby  granted  ratified 
and  confirmed  with  the  Appurtenances  to  the  same  respectively  belong- 
ing- (except  as  is  herein  before  excepted)  in  Trust  to  and  for  each 
of  the  Persons  severally  herein  next  undermentioned  (being  also  Per- 
sons named  in  the  Schedule  herein  before  mentioned)  their  Heirs  and 
Assignes,  that  is  to  say,  to  and  for  the  only  proper  and  separate  Use 
and  Behoof  of  James  Gilles,  Edward  Mac  Caller,  Neil  Mac  Donald, 
Duncan  Gilchrist,  John  Mac  Euen,  Duncan  Mac  Guire  and  Duncan 
Mac  Dougal  and  each  of  them,  their  and  each  of  their  Heirs  and 
Assignes  respectively  forever,  and  to  and  for  no  other  Use  or  Uses 
Intent  or  Purpose  whatsoever 

And  to  Have  and  to  Hold  the  Quantity  of  Four  Hundred 
and  fifty  Acres,  together  with  the  usual  Allowance  for  Highways  also 
Part  and  Parcel  of  the  said  Tract  of  Land  and  Premises  hereby  granted 
ratified  and  confirmed  with  the  Appurtenances  to  the  same  respectively 
belonging  (except  as  is  hereon  before  excepted)  In  Trust  to  and  for 
each  of  the  Persons  severally  herein  next  unmentioned  (being  also 
Persons  named  in  the  Schedule  herein  before  mentioned)  their  Heirs 
and  Assignes,  that  is  to  say,  to  and  for  the  only  proper  proper  and 
seperate  Use  and  Behoof  of  Archibald  Mac  Dougal,  Duncan  Mac 
Carter,  Neal  Mac  Eachran,  Robert  Campbell  Junior,  Donald  Mac 
Mullen,  Niel  Gillespie,  John  Read,  and  Duncan  Campbell  Senior,  and 
each  of  them  their  and  each  of  their  Heirs  and  Assignes  respectively 
for  ever,  and  to  and  for  no  other  Use  or  Uses  Intent  or  Purpose 
whatsoever 

And  to  Have  and  to  Hold  the  Quantity  of  four  Hundred 
Acres  together  with  the  usual  Allowance  for  Highways,  also  Part  and 
Parcel  of  the  said  Tract  of  Land  and  Premises  hereby  granted  ratified 
and  confirmed  with  the  Appurtenances  to  the  same  respectively  belong- 
ing (except  as  is  herein  before  excepted)  In  Trust  to  and  for  each  of 
the  Persons  severally  herein  next  undermentioned  (being  also  Persons 
named  in  the  Schedule  herein  before  mentioned)  their  Heirs  and 
Assigns,  that  is  to  say,  To  and  for  the  only  Proper  and  seperate  Use 
and  Behoof  of  John  Mac  Carter,  Ronald  Mac  Dougal,  John  Mac 
Dougal,  George  Mac  Kinzie,  Hannah  Mac  Euen,  John  Mac  Guire  and 
Dougal  Thomson,  and  each  of  theim  their  and  each  of  their  Heirs 
and  Assigns  respectively  for  ever,  and  to  and  for  no  other  Use  or  Uses 
intent  or  Purpose  whatsoever 

And  to  Have  and  to  Hold,  the  Quantity  of  Three  Hundred 
and  fifty  Acres,  together  with  the  usual  Allowance  for  Highways,  also 
Part  and  Parcel  of  the  said  Tract  of  Land  and  Premises  hereby  granted 
ratified  and  confirmed  with  the  Appurtenances  to  the  same  respectively 
belonging  (except  as  is  herein  before  excepted)  in  Trust  to  and  for 
each  of  Persons  severally  herein  next  undermentioned  (being  also 
Persons  named  in  the  Schedule  herein  before  mentioned)  their  Heirs 
and  Assigns:  That  is  to  say  to  and  for  the  only  proper  and  seperate 

315 


APPENDIX 

Use  and  Behoof  of  Daniel  Johnson,  Archibald  Mac  Niven,  Patrick 
Mac  Arthur,  John  Mac  Carter,  Mary  Campbell,  William  Fraser,  Wil- 
liam Clark,  Duncan  Mac  Duffie,  Ann  Duffie,  Duncan  Lindsay,  Archi- 
bald Mac  Collom  Senior,  John  Mac  Intire,  Alexander  Christie,  Daniel 
Clark,  Daniel  Shaw,  Dougal  Mac  Duffie,  Archibald  Mac  Collum 
Junior,  Duncan  Mac  Kinvan,  Donald  Mac  Intire  Charles  Mac  Arthur, 
James  Mac  Donald,  Alexander  Campbell  and  Alexander  Mac  Dougal, 
and  each  of  them  their  and  each  of  their  Heirs  and  Assignes  respec- 
tively forever,  and  to  and  for  no  other  Use  or  Uses  Intent  or  Purpose 
whatsoever  j  and 

To  Have  and  to  Hold  the  Quantity  of  Three  Hundred  Acres 
together  with  the  usual  Allowance  for  Highways,  also  Part  and  Parcel 
of  the  said  Tract  of  Land  and  Premises  hereby  granted  ratified  and 
confirmed  with  the  Appurtenances  to  the  same  respectively  belonging 
(Except  as  is  herein  before  excepted)  In  Trust  to  and  for  each  of 
the  Persons  severally  herein  next  undermentioned  (being  also  Persons 
named  in  the  Schedule  herein  above  mentioned)  their  Heirs  and  As- 
signes That  is  to  say  to  and  for  the  only  Proper  and  seperate  Use  and 
Behoof  of  Elizabeth  Mac  Neil,  Archibald  Campbell  Senior,  John  Shaw 
Senior,  Edward  Mac  Coy,  Dougal  Mac  Alpine,  James  Nutt,  Neil  Mac 
Phaden,  Mary  Anderson,  Charles  Mac  Allister,  Barbara  Mac  Allister, 
James  Campbell,  Allan  Mac  Donald,  John  Shaw  junior,  Archibald 
Mac  Gowne,  John  Mac  Gowne  senior,  Neil  Carmichel,  John  Mac  Fail, 
David  Torry,  William  Hunter,  John  Mac  Arthur,  Duncan  Mac 
Phaden,  John  Mac  Collman,  Mary  Anderson,  Hugh  Montgomery, 
Mary  Beton,  Mary  Graham,  William  Graham,  Hugh  Mac  Dougal, 
Angus  Mac  Dougal,  Rachel  Mac  Niven,  John  Gilchrist,  Alexander  Gil- 
christ, Catharine  Mac  Lean,  Archibald  Mac  Euen,  Florence  Mac 
Varick,  Archibald  Mac  Ilfender,  Roger  Reed,  Angus  Mac  Dougal, 
Malcolm  Campbell,  Robert  Mac  Alpine,  Duncan  Campbell  Junior, 
Duncan  Campbell  the  Third,  Elizabeth  Campbell,  Ann  Campbell,  John 
Mac  Intire,  James  Cargill,  John  Cargill,  Jane  Widrow,  John  Campbell, 
Angus  Graham,  Roger  Mac  Neal,  Anna  Mac  Arthur,  John  Torry, 
John  Mac  Core,  Archibald  Mac  Core,  George  Campbell  Duncan  Shaw, 
Eleanor  Thompson,  (widow  of  Roger  Thompson)  and  Hugh  Mac 
Carty,  and  each  of  them,  Their  and  each  of  their  Heirs  and  Assignes 
respectively  forever,  and  to  and  for  no  other  Use  or  Uses  Intent  or 
Purpose  whatsoever 

And  to  Have  and  to  Hold  the  Quantity  of  Two  Hundred 
and  Fifty  Acres  together  with  the  usual  Allowance  for  Highways,  also 
Part  and  Parcel  of  the  said  Tract  of  Land  and  Premises  hereby  granted 
ratified  and  confirmed  with  the  Appurtenances  to  the  same  respectively 
belonging  (Except  as  is  herein  before  excepted)  In  Trust  to  and  for 
each  of  the  Persons  severally  herein  next  undermentioned  (being  also 
Persons  named  in  the  Schedule  herein  before  mentioned)  their  Heirs 
and  Assignes:  That  is  to  say,  to  and  for  the  only  Proper  and  Seperate 

316 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

Use  and  Behoof  of  Daniel  Lindsay,  Margret  Mac  Neil,  Mary  Mac 
Cloud,  John  Mac  Duffie,  Elizabeth  Calwell,  Jannet  Ferguson,  Isabella 
Livingston,  John  Mac  Gowne  Junior,  Archibald  Campbell  Junior, 
Marian  Campbell,  Alexander  Mac  iVrthur,  Alexander  Mac  Donald 
Catherine  Campbell,  Jane  Cargyle,  Catherine  Shaw,  Catherine  Mac 
Ilfender,  Mary  Torry,  Mary  Campbell,  Elizabeth  Cargill,  .Margaret 
Cargill,  Ann  Mac  Arthur  Senior,  Mary  Hammels,  Margaret  Mac 
Allister,  and  Margaret  Gilchrist  and  each  of  them  their  and  each  of 
their  Heirs  and  Assignes  respectively  forever,  and  to  and  for  no  other 
Use  or  Uses  Intent  or  Purpose  whatsoever 

And  to  Have  and  to  Hold  the  Quantity  of  two  Hundred 
Acres  together  with  the  usual  Allowance  for  Highways,  also  part  and 
parcel  of  the  said  Tract  of  Land  and  Premises  hereby  granted  ratified 
and  confirmed,  with  the  Appurtenances  to  the  same  respectively  belong- 
ing (except  as  is  herein  before  excepted)  In  Trust  to  and  for  each  of 
the  Persons  severally  herein  next  undermentioned  (being  also  Persons 
named  in  the  Schedule  herein  before  mentioned)  their  Heirs  and  As- 
signes that  is  to  say  to  and  for  the  only  proper  and  seperate  Use  and 
Behoof  of  Florence  Mac  Kinzie,  Catherine  Mac  Carter,  Hugh  Mac 
Elvray,  Marian  Mac  Euen  Daughter  of  Neal  Mac  Euen,  Elizabeth 
Frazier,  and  Elizabeth  Roy  and  each  of  them,  their  and  each  of  their 
Heirs  and  Assignes  respectively  for  ever,  and  to  and  for  no  other  Use 
or  Uses  Intent  or  Purpose  whatsoever,  Which  same  several  smaller 
Tracts  and  Quantities  of  Land,  the  Uses  and  Trusts  whereof  are  herein 
before  respectively  limited  appointed  and  declared  as  aforesaid,  amount 
to  forty  six  Thousand  Nine  Hundred  and  Fifty  Acres  of  Land  Part 
and  Parcel  of  the  Larger  Tract  of  Forty  seven  Thousand  four  Hun- 
dred and  fifty  Acres  of  Land  by  these  Presents  Granted  ratified  and 
confirmed  as  aforesaid  And  as  for  and  concerning  the  remaining  five 
Hundred  Acres  with  the  Usual  Allowance  for  Highways  of  the  said 
Tract  of  Forty  seven  Thousand  four  Hundred  and  fifty  Acres  of  Land 

To  Have  and  to  Hold  the  same  with  the  Appurtenances  there- 
unto belonging  In  Trust  as  a  Glebe  forever  to  and  for  the  Use  Benefit 
and  Behoof  of  the  Minister  of  the  Gospel  and  Schoolmaster  for  the 
Time  being  resident  and  officiating  on  the  said  larger  Tract  of  Land 
hereby  granted,  and  to  and  for  no  other  Use  or  Uses  Intent  or  Purpose 
whatsoever:  All  and  singular  the  said  Tract  of  Land  abutted  bounded 
and  described  in  manner  above  mentioned  and  Premises, 

To  Be  Holden  of  us  our  Heirs  and  Successors  in  free  and  com- 
mon Socage  as  of  our  Manor  of  East  Greenwich  in  our  County  of 
Kent  within  our  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  Yielding  rendring  and 
paying  therefore  yearly  and  every  Year  for  ever  unto  us  our  Heirs 
and  Successors,  at  our  Custom  House  in  our  City  of  New  York  unto 
our  or  their  Collector  or  Receiver  General  there  for  the  Time  being, 
on  the  Feast  of  the  Annunciation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  commonly 
called    Lady   Day,    the    yearly    Rent   of    two    Shillings    and    six   Pence 

317 


APPENDIX 

sterling  for  each  and  every  hundred  Acres  of  the  above  granted  Lands 
and  so  in  Proportion  for  any  lesser  Quantity  thereof,  saving  and  except 
for  such  Part  of  the  said  Lands  allowed  for  Highways  as  above  men- 
tioned, in  Lieu  and  Stead  of  all  other  Rents,  Services,  Dues,  Duties  and 
Demands  whatsoever  for  the  hereby  granted  Lands  and  Premises,  or 
any  Part  thereof 

And  for  the  more  easy  just  and  equitable  determining,  ascertaining 
and  locating  in  the  larger  Tract  of  Land,  by  these  Presents  granted 
ratified  and  confirmed,  the  Situation  and  Place  of  each  of  the  smaller 
Tracts  or  Lots  of  Land  for  which  the  Uses  and  Trusts  have  been  herein 
before  respectively  declared  limited  and  appointed  it  is  our  Royal  Will 
and  Pleasure  that  the  same  shall  respectively  be  ascertained  and  deter- 
mined by  Ballot:  And  for  that  Purpose  we  direct  and  appoint  that 
the  Trustees  herein  before  nominated,  their  Heirs  or  Assigns  or  the 
Survivors  or  Survivor  of  the  said  Trustees,  their  or  his  Heirs  or 
Assignes  shall  within  one  Month  Next  ensuing  the  Date  hereof  appoint 
some  convenient  Time  and  Place  within  our  said  Province  for  the 
Balloting  aforesaid,  and  shall  give  Publick  Notice  thereof  in  all  the 
Publick  Newspapers  of  this  Province  for  four  Weeks  successively,  and 
on  the  Day  and  at  the  Place  so  appointed  and  notified  every  the  Person 
and  Persons  to  whose  Use  and  Behoof  respectively  the  said  several 
Parcels  or  Quantities  of  Land  are  by  these  Presents  held  in  Trust  by 
the  Trustees  as  aforesaid  or  their  Heirs  or  Assignes,  shall  by  themselves, 
or  their  Attorneys  respectively  draw  Lots  for  the  Place  where  the  sev- 
eral and  respective  Quantities  of  Land  aforesaid  so  holden  for  them 
respectively  in  Trust  as  aforesaid  shall  on  the  said  larger  Tract  of 
Land  hereby  granted  be  located  fixed  and  measured  out  to  him  or  her: 
which  same  Drawing  shall  continue  there  from  Day  to  Day  until  the 
whole  is  finished:  And  in  case  any  of  the  said  Persons  their  Heirs  or 
Assignes  for  whose  Use  any  of  the  said  Quantities  of  Land  are  respec- 
tively held  in  Trust  as  aforesaid,  shall  fail  to  appear  by  themselves 
or  their  Attorneys  respectively  on  the  Balloting  aforesaid:  Then  our 
Will  and  Pleasure  is  That  the  said  Trustees  or  either  of  them  their 
Heirs  or  Assignes  shall  draw  Lots  for  such  of  them  as  shall  so  fail 
to  appear,  and  such  Location  as  shall  so  be  drawn  for  them  respectively 
shall  be  the  Location  of  their  several  and  respective  Shares  and  Quan- 
tities of  the  said  Land  And  our  Will  and  Pleasure  further  is,  and 
we  do  by  these  Presents  further  declare  and  appoint  That  as  soon  after 
the  Balloting  herein  before  directed  as  conveyniently  can  be;  The 
Trustees  herein  before  mentioned,  their  Heirs  or  Assignes  or  the 
Survivors  or  Survivor  of  them  their  or  his  Heirs  or  Assignes  shall 
cause  the  larger  Tract  of  Land  hereby  granted  to  be  surveyed  and 
divided  and  the  several  and  respective  Quantities  of  Land  aforesaid 
Parts  of  the  said  larger  Tract  to  be  respectively  located  laid  out  and 
measured  for  the  Persons  for  whom  they  are  respectively  held  in 
Trust  as  aforesaid  by  these  Presents  in  the  Place  and  Places  in  the  said 

318 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

larger  Tract  where  on  the  Ballotting  aforesaid  the  Share  or  Shares 
of  such  Person  shall  be  fixed  and  ascertained  by  Lot  as  aforesaid,  and 
shall  convey  the  same  with  the  Appurtenances  by  good  and  sufficient 
Assurances  in  the  Law  to  the  said  Persons  respectively  their  respective 
Heirs  and  Assigns  or  to  such  other  Person  or  Persons  as  they  shall 
respectively  nominate  and  appoint  their  Heirs  and  Assigns  respectively 
forever.  To  their  only  proper  and  seperate  Use  and  Behoof  respec- 
tively forever.  He  or  they  respectively  paying  the  Charge  and  Costs 
of  such  Conveyances  and  their  Proportionable  Part  of  all  such  Fees 
and  Expences  as  the  said  Trustees  their  Heirs  or  Assigns  or  the  Sur- 
vivors or  Survivor  of  them  his  or  their  Heirs  or  Assigns  shall  be  put 
to  and  expend  in  and  for  the  obtaining  this  our  Grant,  and  in  making 
the  division  of  the  said  Lands  with  lawf ull  Interest  for  the  same,  from 
the  respective  Times  of  disbursing  and  expending  the  same  and  every 
respective  Part  thereof,  the  said  Proportions  to  be  struck  according 
to  the  Quantities  of  Acres  in  each  share  respectively 

Provided  Always  and  it  is  our  Royal  Intent  that  the  said 
Trustees  their  Heirs  and  Assigns  and  the  Survivors  and  Survivor  of 
them,  their  or  his  Heirs  or  Assignes,  shall  and  may  before  any  other 
Location}  Locate  and  lay  out  the  five  Hundred  Acres  of  Land  with 
the  Usual  Allowance  for  Highways  holden  by  of  thes  Presents, 
in  Trust  as  a  Glebe  for  the  Use  of  the  Minister  of  the  Gospel  and 
Schoolmaster  as  aforesaid,  in  such  part  of  the  said  larger  Tract  of 
Land  hereby  granted  as  to  the  said  Trustees  their  Heirs  or  Assigns 
or  the  Survivors  or  Survivor  of  them  his  or  their  Heirs  or  Assignes 
shall  seem  most  convenient  and  proper  to  answer  the  good  Ends  we 
thereby  propose}  any  thing  herein  before  contained  to  the  contrary 
thereof  in  any  wise  notwithstanding 

Provided  also  and  it  is  our  further  Royal  Intent  and  Purpose 
in  this  our  Grant,  that  if  the  Persons  their  Heirs  or  Assignes  to  whose 
Use  the  said  several  and  respective  Quantities  and  Lots  of  Land  afore- 
said are  by  Virtue  of  these  Presents  held  in  Trust,  and  directed  to  be 
conveyed  as  aforesaid,  or  any  or  either  of  them,  shall  not  within  one 
Year  after  Publick  Notice  given  by  the  said  Trustees  their  Heirs  or 
Assignes,  or  the  Survivors  or  the  Survivor  of  them,  their  or  his  Heirs 
or  Assignes,  in  all  the  News  Papers  of  our  said  Province,  apply  to  the 
said  Trustees  their  Heirs  or  Assignes  or  the  Survivors  or  Survivor  of 
them  his  or  their  Heirs  or  Assignes,  or  to  some  or  one  of  them,  for 
the  respective  Conveyances  above  directed  to  be  made  to  them  respec- 
tively for  their  several  Shares  and  Lots  aforsaid,  and  pay  or  cause  to 
be  paid  to  the  said  Trustees  their  Heirs  or  Assigns,  or  the  Survivors 
or  Survivor  of  them  their  or  his  Heirs  or  Assignes,  or  some  or  one  of 
them,  the  Charge  and  Cost  of  such  Conveyances  respectively,  and  their 
respective  proportionable  Part  of  all  such  Fees  and  expences  as  the  said 
Trustees  their  Heirs  or  Assigns  or  the  Survivors  or  Survivor  of  them, 
their  or  his  Heirs  or  Assignes  shall  be  put  to,  Disburse  and  expend  in 

319 


APPENDIX 

and  for  obtaining  this  our  Grant  and  in  making  the  Division  of  the 
said  Lands:  With  lawfull  Interest  as  aforesaid,  that  then  and  in  such 
case  it  shall  and  may  be  lawfull  for  the  said  Trustees  their  Heirs  or 
Assignes  or  the  Survivors  or  Survivor  of  them  their  or  his  Heirs  or 
Assignes,  to  sell  and  dispose  of  the  share  and  shares  Lot  and  Lots  of 
the  said  Persons  so  failing  and  to  convey  a  good  Estate  in  Fee  Simple 
of  in  and  to  the  said  Share  and  Shares  Lot  and  Lots  respectively  to 
such  Person  or  Persons  as  shall  purchase  the  same:  And  out  of  the 
Monies  arising  by  the  Sale  thereof  respectively  to  pay  and  reimburse 
themselves  the  said  Proportionable  Share  of  the  Costs  and  Expences 
aforesaid,  with  lawfull  Interest  as  aforesaid,  and  shall  render  the  Over- 
plus Money,  if  any  there  be,  to  the  said  Person  or  Persons  so  failing 
their  Heirs  or  Assignes,  and  the  Person  or  Persons  their  Heirs  and 
Assignes  respectively,  for  whose  Use  the  same  is  hereby  held  in  Trust 
as  aforesaid,  shall  be  by  the  said  Sale  and  Conveyance  respectively  de- 
barred and  estopped  from  claiming  or  in  any  wise  having  any  Right 
or  Title  in  Law  or  Equity  to  such  the  said  several  Shares  and  Lots 
as  shall  be  so  sold  and  conveyed:  and  the  said  sales  and  Conveyances 
respectively  we  do  hereby  consent  and  agree  shall  to  all  Intents  and 
Purposes  whatsoever  be  good  against  us  our  Heirs  or  Successors,  any 
Thing  herein  before  contained  to  the  Contrary  thereof  in  any  wise 
notwithstanding 

And  Whereas  divers  of  the  Persons  for  whose  Use  divers  Quantities 
of  the  Lands  hereby  granted  are  respectively  held  in  Trust  as  afore- 
said by  these  Presents,  being  Women,  who  are  mentioned  and  named 
in  these  Presents,  by  their  Maiden  Names  may  at  the  Time  of  Issuing 
this  our  Grant  be  lawfully  married,  and  thereby  their  respective  Names 
be  changed  to  the  Names  of  their  respective  Husbands  And  Whereas 
also  divers  others  of  the  said  Persons  may  now  be  dead,  it  is  therefore 
our  further  Will  and  Pleasure,  and  we  do  hereby  direct  limit  and 
appoint  in  every  Case  where  any  the  said  Women  have  married  or 
are  now  married  that  the  said  Trustees  their  Heirs  or  Assigns,  or  the 
Survivors  or  Survivor  of  them  their  or  his  Heirs  or  Assigns,  upon 
Application  and  Payment  of  a  Proportionate  share  of  the  Fees  and 
Expences  Costs  and  Charges  aforesaid,  within  the  Time  and  in  the 
manner  herein  before  mentioned,  with  Interest  as  aforesaid  shall  convey 
the  respective  Lots  and  Quantities  of  Land  so  holden  in  Trust  for  them 
respectively,  to  them  their  Heirs  and  Assignes  respectively  forever  by 
the  Name  they  shall  respectively  bear,  or  be  Known  by  at  the  Time  or 
Times  the  same  shall  be  conveyed  to  them  respectively.  And  in  Case 
any  the.  said  Persons  shall  be  dead  as  aforesaid,  then  it  is  our  Royal 
Will  and  Pleasure  and  we  do  hereby  direct  limit  and  appoint  that 
the  said  Trustees  their  Heirs  or  Assigns  or  the  Survivors  or  Survivor 
of  them,  their  or  his  Heirs  or  Assigns  shall  upon  application  and  Pay- 
ment of  a  proportionable  Share  of  the  said  Costs,  Fees  Expences  and 
Charges  within  the  Time  and  in  the  Manner  herein  before  mentioned 

320 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

with  Interest  as  aforesaid,  convey  the  respective  Share  and  Shares  Lot 
and  Lots  hereby  holden  in  Trust  for  such  Person  and  Persons  respec- 
tively to  the  Heirs  of  such  Persons  so  dead,  and  to  their  Heirs  and 
Assigns  for  ever. 

And  the  said  several  Conveyances  and  each  of  them  respectively  shall 
be  good  and  effectual  in  the  Law  to  all  Intents,  constructions  and  pur- 
poses whatsoever  against  us  our  Heirs  and  Successors  and  all  and 
every  other  Person  and  Persons  whatsoever  claiming  or  to  claim  the 
same  or  any  Part  thereof  by  Virtue  of  these  Presents,  any  thing  herein 
before  contained  to  the  contrary  thereof  in  any  wise  notwithstanding 
And  We  do  of  our  especial  Grace  certain  Knowledge  and  meer  Mo- 
tion, create,  erect  and  constitute  the  large  Tract  or  Parcel  of  Land 
hereby  Granted,  and  abutted  bounded  and  described  in  Manner  and 
Form  as  is  herein  before  particularly  set  forth,  and  every  Part  and 
Parcel  thereof,  a  Township  for  ever  hereafter  to,  be,  continue  and 
remain,  and  by  the  Name  of  Argyle  forever  hereafter  to  be  called  and 
Known 

And  for  the  better  and  more  easily  carrying  on  and  managing  the 
Publick  Affairs  and  Business  of  the  said  Township  our  Royal  Will 
and  Pleasure  is,  and  We  do  hereby  for  us  our  Heirs  and  Successors 
give  and  grant  to  the  Inhabitants  of  the  said  Township  all  the  Powers 
Authorities  Privileges  and  Advantages  heretofore  given  and  granted 
to,  or  legally  enjoyed  by  all,  any,  or  either  of  our  other  Townships 
within  our  said  Province;  and  We  also  ordain  and  establish  that  there 
shall  be  forever  hereafter  in  the  said  Township,  one  Supervisor,  Two 
Assessors,  one  Treasurer,  Two  Overseers  of  the  Highways  Two  Over 
Seers  of  the  Poor,  one  Collector,  and  Six  Constables,  elected  and  chosen 
out  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  said  Township  yearly  and  every  Year  on 
the  first  Tuesday  in  May,  at  the  most  Publick  Place  in  the  said  Town- 
ship, by  the  Majority  of  the  Freeholders  thereof,  then  and  there  met 
and  assembled  for  that  Purpose  Hereby  declaring  that  wheresoever  the 
first  Election  in  the  said  Township  shall  be  held,  the  future  Elections 
shall  forever  thereafter  be  held  in  the  same  Place  as  near  as  may  be, 
and  giving  and  granting  to  the  said  Officers  so  chosen  Power  and 
Authority  to  exercise  their  said  several  and  respective  Oflices,  during 
one  whole  Year  from  such  Election,  and  until  others  are  legally  chosen 
and  Elected  in  their  Room  and  Stead,  as  fully  and  amply  as  any  the 
like  officers  have  or  legally  may  use  or  exercise  their  Offices  in  our 
said  Province,  and  in  Case  any  or  either  of  the  said  Officers  shall  die 
or  remove  from  the  said  Township,  before  the  Time  of  their  Annual 
Service  respectively  shall  be  expired,  or  refuse  to  act  in  the  Offices  for 
which  they  shall  respectively  be  chosen:  Then  our  Royal  Will  and 
Pleasure  further  is,  and  we  do  hereby  direct  ordain  and  require  the 
Freeholders  of  the  said  Township  to  meet  at  the  Place  where  the 
annual  Ellection  shall  be  held  for  the  said  Township,  and  chuse  other 
or  others  of  the  said   Inhabitants  in  the   place   and   Stead   of   him   or 

321 


APPENDIX 

them  so  dying-  Removing-  or  refusing  to  Act  within  forty  Days  next 
after  such  Conteng-ency. 

And  to  prevent  any  undue  Election  in  this  Case:  We  do  hereby 
ordain  and  require  that  upon  every  Vacancy  in  the  Office  of  Super- 
visor; the  Assessors,  and  in  either  of  the  other  Offices,  the  Supervisor 
of  the  said  Township  shall  within  ten  Days  next  after  such  Vacancy 
shall  happen,  appoint  the  Day  for  such  Election,  and  give  Publick 
Notice  thereof  in  writing  under  his  or  their  Hands  by  affixing  such 
Notice  on  the  Church  Door,  or  other  most  Publick  Place  in  the  said 
Township,  at  the  least  Ten  days  before  the  Day  appointed  for  such 
Election. 

And  in  Default  thereof  we  do  hereby  require  the  Officer  or  Officers 
of  the  said  Township  or  the  Survivor  of  them,  who  in  the  order  they 
are  herein  before  mentioned  shall  next  succeed  him  or  them  so  making 
Default,  within  ten  Days  next  after  such  Default  to  appoint  the  day 
for  such  Election  and  give  Notice  thereof  as  aforesaid  Hereby  giving 
and  granting  that  such  Person  or  Persons  as  shall  so  be  chosen  by  the 
Majority  of  such  of  the  Freeholders  of  the  said  Township  as  shall 
meet  in  the  manner  hereby  directed,  shall  have,  hold,  Exercise  and 
Enjoy  the  Office  or  Offices  to  which  he  or  they  shall  be  so  elected  and 
chosen,  from  the  Time  of  such  Election,  until  the  first  Tuesday  in 
May  then  next  following,  and  until  other  or  others,  be  legally  chosen 
in  his  or  their  Place  and  Stead,  as  fully  as  the  Person  or  Persons  in 
whose  Place  he  or  they  shall  be  chosen,  might  or  could  have  done  by 
Virtue  of  these  Presents;  And  We  Do  hereby  Will  and  direct  that 
this  Method  shall  for  ever  hereafter  be  used  for  the  filling  up  all 
Vacancies  that  shall  happen  in  any  or  either  of  the  said  Offices  between 
the  annual  Elections  above  directed. 

Provided  Always  and  upon  Condition,  nevertheless  that  if  the  said 
Trustees  or  the  Persons  for  whom  the  said  several  Quantities  and  Lots 
of  Lahd  are  by  Virtue  of  these  Presents  held  in  Trust  as  aforesaid,  or 
some  or  one  of  them,  their  or  some  or  one  of  their  Heirs  or  Assignes, 
shall  not  within  four  Years  next  after  the  Date  hereof  Settle  on  the 
said  larger  Tract  of  Land  hereby  granted  so  many  Families  as  shall 
amount  to  one  Family  for  every  Thousand  Acres  thereof,  or  if  they 
the  said  Trustees  or  the  Persons  for  whom  the  said  several  Quantities 
and  Lots  of  Land  are  hereby  held  in  Trust  as  aforesaid  or  some  or 
one  of  them,  their  or  some  or  one  of  their  Heirs  or  Assignes  shall  not 
also  within  four  Years  to  be  computed  as  aforesaid  Plant  and  effectually 
Cultivate  at  the  least  three  Acres  for  every  fifty  Acres  of  such  of  the 
hereby  granted  Lands  as  are  capable  of  Cultivation,  or  if  they  the 
said  Trustees,  or  the  Persons  for  whom  the  said  several  Quantities  and 
Lots  of  Land  are  held  in  Trust  as  aforesaid  or  any  of  them,  their  or 
any  of  their  Heirs  or  Assignes  or  any  other  Person  or  Persons  by  their 
or  any  of  their  privity  consent  or  Procurement  shall  fell  cut  down  or 
otherwise  destroy  any  of  the  Pine  Trees  by  these  Presents  reserved  to 

322 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

us  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  or  hereby  Intended  so  to  be,  without  the 
Royal  Licence  of  us  our  Heirs  or  Successors  for  so  doing-  first  had  and 
obtained,  that  then  and  in  any  of  these  Cases  this  our  Present  Grant 
and  every  thing-  therein  contained  shall  shall  cease  and  be  absolutely 
void,  and  the  Lands  and  Premises  hereby  granted  shall  revert  to  and 
Vest  in  us  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  as  if  this  our  present  Grant  had 
not  been  made:  4ny  thing  herein  before  contained  to  the  contrary  in 
anywise  notwithstanding-. 

Provided  Further  and  upon  Condition  also  Nevertheless,  and  we  do 
hereby  for  us  our  Heirs  and  Successors  direct  and  appoint,  that  this 
our  present  Grant  shall  be  registered  and  entered  on  Record  within  six 
Months  from  the  Date  hereof  in  our  Secretary's  Office  in  our  City  of 
New  York,  in  our  said  Province  in  one  of  the  Books  of  Patents  there 
remaining}  and  that  a  Doquet  thereof  shall  be  also  entered  in  our 
Auditors  Office  there  for  our  said  Province,  and  that  in  Default  thereof 
this  our  Present  Grant  shall  be  void  and  of  none  Effect,  anything 
before  in  these  Presents  contained  to  the  contrary  thereof  in  any  wise 
Notwithstanding.  And  We  do  moreover  of  our  especial  Grace  certain 
Knowledge  and  meer  Motion  consent  and  agree  that  this  our  Present 
Grant  being  registered  recorded  and  a  Docquet  thereof  made  as  before 
directed  and  appointed  shall  be  good  and  effectual  in  the  Law  to  all 
Intents  Constructions  and  Purposes  whatsoever  against  us  our  Heirs 
and  Successors,  Notwithstanding  any  Misreciting,  Misbounding,  Mis- 
naming or  other  Imperfection  or  Omission  of  in  or  in  anywise  con- 
cerning the  above  granted  or  hereby  mentioned  or  intended  to  be 
granted  Lands,  Tenements,  Hereditaments  and  Premises  or  any  Part 
thereof,  and  of  in  or  in  anywise  concerning  the  Trustees  aforesaid  or 
the  Persons  for  whose  Use  any  the  said  Lands  and  Premises  are  held 
in  Trust  as  aforesaid  or  any  of  them. 

In  Testimony  whereof  we  have  caused  these  our  Letters  to  be  made 
Patent,  and  the  Great  Seal  of  our  said  Province  to  be  hereunto  affixed. 

Witness  our  said  Trusty  and  Well  beloved  Cadwallader  Colden 
Esquire  our  Lieutenant  Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief  in  and 
over  our  said  Province  of  New  York  and  the  Territories  depending 
thereon  in  America:  at  our  Fort  in  our  City  of  New  York  the  thirteenth 
Day  of  March  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  One  thousand  seven  Hundred 
and  sixty  four  and  of  our  Reign  the  fourth.  First  Skin  Line  36  the 
Word  last  interlined.  Second  Skin  Line  47  the  Word  from  wrote  on 
an  Erazure.  3d.  Skin  Line  1st.  the  Word  and  Wrote  on  Erazure 
and  Line  6,  the  Words  and,  Businesss  and  the  word  us  and  Line  22  the 
Words  shall  be  chosen  interlined.  Clarke 

In  the  preceeding  Certificate  and  Letters  Patent  recorded  for  the 
Trustees  therein  named,  the  following  Interlineations  &ca.  appear — 
Page  2  Line  3  the  Word  the.  Line  36  (then  along  the  said  East  Bounds 
of  the  said  Tract  surveyed  for  Donald  Campbell  and  others)  ;  Page  4 

323 


APPENDIX 


Line  1  the  Word  his:  Line  12  the  Word  the:  Page  5  Line  20  the  Word 
said;  and  Line  21  the  Word  the  interlined}  Page  8  Line  30  the  Word 
and  wrote  on  an  Erazure  Page  9  Line  35  the  Word  said  Page  11  Line  5 
the  Word  the  Line  19  Word  or  Line  20  the  Word  so  and  Line  35  the 
Word  the  Page  12  line  10  the  Word  other:  line  17  the  Word  contrary; 
and  Line  38  the  Word  Assigns  Page  13  Line  7  the  Words  (or  Assigns 
and  the  Person  or  Persons  their  Heirs)  Page  15  Line  1  the  Word 
Days;  and  Page  16  Line  19  the  Word  a  interlined}  and  Line  36  Word 
wrote  on  an  Erazure —  Examined  with  the  Original  this  21th.  Day 
of  March  1764  By  G  w  Banyar  D  Secry 

Document    VII 
Grantees  Named  in  the  Argyle  Patent  with  Their  Holdings 

LOT  NAME 

77  Alex.  Montgomery 
32  Alex.  McNaughton 

87  Neil    Shaw    

22  Dougall    McCallor 


ACRES 

.  .600 
..600 

.  .600 
..550 

108  James  Gillis    500 

107  Neil  McDonald    500 

59  John  McEuen 500 

75  Duncan    McDougall     ...500 

109  Archibald  McDougall  .  .450 
64  Neil    McEachron    450 

127  Donald  McMillan    450 

70  John  Reid     450 

102  John  McArthur    400 

95   John  McDougall    400 

69  Hannah  McEuen    400 

119  Dougall  Thompson  ...  .400 
23  Daniel  Johnston    350 

1 1 1   Patrick  McArthur    350 

5   Mary    Campbell     350 

122  Duncan  Taylor     600 

20  Duncan  Read    600 

104  Malcolmn  McDuffie 550 

82   Edward   McCallor    500 

138  Duncan  Gilchrist    500 

81   Duncan  McGuire    500 

44  Duncan  McArthur  ...  .450 
40  Robert   Campbell    Jr.  .  .  .450 

4  Neil  Gillaspie    450 

36  Duncan  Campbell  Sr.  .  .450 
16  Ranald   McDougall    400 

101   George    McKinzie    400 

42  John   McGuire    400 


LOT  NAME  ACRES 

71   Archibald  McNiven 350 

86  John  McArthur    350 

34  William   Fraser    350 

124  William  Clark    350 

15  Ann   McDuffie    350 

..    Arch.   McCollum   Sr 350 

31   Donald  Mclntire    350 

76  Alexander   Chrstie    350 

132  Daniel  Shaw 350 

6  Duncan   McKinvan    ....350 

5 1  Charles  McArthur    3  50 

28  Alexander   Campbell    ...350 
43  Elizabeth    McNeil    3  00 

130  John  Shaw  Ju 300 

12  Dougall  McAlpine 300 

37  Neil   McFaden    300 

126  Mary  Anderson  Sr 300 

125  Barbara    McAllister 300 

3  Allan  McDonald    300 

17  Archibald  McGowne    ...300 

48  John    McFail    300 

25  William  Hunter    300 

52  Duncan    McFadden 300 

65   Hugh   Montgomery    ....300 

120  Mary  Graham    300 

19  Duncan  McDuffie     350 

131  Duncan  Lindsay     350 

..  Arch.    McCollum  Jr 350 

135  John    Mclntyre     350 

29  Daniel   Clark    350 

92  Dougall  McDuffie    350 

61  James    McDonald     350 


324 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 


LOT  NAME  ACRES 

129  Alexander  McDougall  .  .350 
.  .   Archibald    Campbell.  .  .  .300 

115  Edward  McCoy   300 

91   James  Nutt   300 

10  Mary   Anderson    Jr 300 

97  Charles    McAlister     300 

100  James  Campbell    300 

113  John  Shaw  Sr 300 

.  .    Neil    Carmicheal     300 

141  David   Torry    300 

134  John  McArthur    300 

.  .  John  McCallman    300 

62  Mary  Beaton    300 

98  William  Graham    300 

50  John  McGours  Sr 

99  Hugh   McDougall    300 

72  Rachel   McNiven    300 

83  Alexander  Gilchrist    ....300 

106  Archibald  McEuen 300 

11  Archibald  Mcllfender  .  .  300 
80  Angus  McDougall    300 

121   Robert  McAlpine 300 

88  Duncan  Campbell  (3)..  3  00 
55  Ann   Campbell    300 

73  James    Cargill    300 

94  Jane  Widrow    300 

1 14  Angus  Graham    300 

96  Ann  McArthur 300 

33  John  McCore    300 

93   George  Campbell    300 

18  Eleanor  Thompson 300 

13   Daniel  Lindsay 250 

140  Mary  McLeod    250 

123  Elizabeth    Caldwell    250 

66  Isabella    Livingston 250 

24  Arch.    Campbell   Jr 250 

57  Alexander    McArthur  .  .  .250 

30  Angus  McDougall    300 

79  John    Gilchrist    300 

9  Catharine    Mclean 300 

105   Florence   McVarich    ....300 
53   Roger   Reed    300 


LOT  NAME  ACRES 

46  Malcolm   Campbell    ....300 

116  Duncan    Campbell    Jr... 300 
14  Elizabeth   Campbell    ....300 

139  John  Mclntyre 300 

74  John    Cargill    300 

133   John  Campbell 300 

89  Roger   McNeil    300 

45  John   Torry    300 

85  Archibald  McCore    300 

128  Duncan    Shaw     300 

.  .    Hugh  McCarty 

(McArthur)    300 

103   Margaret   Mc   Neil 250 

21   John  McDuffie 250 

117  Janet    Ferguson    250 

112  John   McGowne  Jr 250 

78  Marion    Campbell    250 

5  8  Alexander  McDonald    ..250 

1  Catharine  Campbell   ...250 
41   Catharine  Shaw    250 

38  Mary    Torry    250 

2  Elizabeth  Cargill    250 

7  Ann   McArthur  Sr, 250 

39  Margaret   McAlister    ...250 
47  Florence   McKinzie    ....200 

1 18  Hugh  Mcllvray    200 

2  7  Elizabeth    Fraser    200 

8  Mary   McGowne    300 

54  John    McArthur     300 

49  Jane  Cargill    250 

136  Catharine    Mcllfender.  ..  250 

35   Mary  Campbell    250 

63   Margaret  Cargill    250 

137  Mary   Hammell    250 

68  Margaret    Gilchrist    ....250 
67  Catharine  McArthur    ...200 

1 1 0   Marion    McEuen    200 

90  Elizabeth    Roy    200 

26  Duncan    Campbell    Jr..  3  00 
60  John  McMitchell  or 

John  McEacron    300 


Jour  grantees  named  in  the  Argyle  patent,  do  not  appear  in  the 
printed  lists  of  the  grantees  of  that  patent,  namely  Neil  Carmicheal, 
Archibald  McCollman,  Hugh  McCarty  or  McArthur,  and  Archibald 
Campbell  Sr. 

325 


APPENDIX 

Document    VIII 
(Endorsement)    A   List   of   the   Persons   Brought   from    Scotland   by 
Captain   Lauchlin    Campbell   to    settle    the    Kings   Lands    at   the  Wood 

Creek  from    1738   to   1740—89   Familys 358 

Persons      1 1 2    Single    .' 112 

470   Persons 
Memorandum   of  Passengers  who   Came   in   the  years    173  8,    173  9   & 
1740 

A  List  of  Passengers  from  Islay  with  Captain  Lauchlin  Campbell 
bound   for  New  York,  July    1738. 

No  Claim  Ronald  Campbell,  Dead.  John  Campbell  of  Balinabie  & 
Anna  Campbell  his  wife.  Alexander  Montgomery  &  Anna  Sutherland 
his  wife.  Hugh  Montgomery.  Mary  Beaton.  Duncan  McEuen. 
Janet  McEuen,  (son  &  Daughter  to  Hugh  McEuen).  Mary  McEuen. 
Mary  McEuen,  Daughter  to  John  McEuen.  Janet  Ferguson  (her  son 
Alexander  McDonald).  Archibald  Johnston  &  Christine  Johnston  his 
wife.  No  Claim  Mary  Graham,  Dead.  John  McNeil  &  Eliz:  Camp- 
bell his  Wife,  &  Barbra,  Peggie,  Catharine,  Betty  &  Neil,  5  Children. 
Margaret  McNeil.  Angus  McAlister.  Elisbie  Thompson  of  Dun- 
ardrie.  No  Claim  Alexander  McLean,  Died  at  Cuba.  No  claim 
William  Campbell,  Joiner,  Dead  family  But  in  Scotland.  No  Claim 
William  Campbell  Wheel  Wright,  Dead.  Alexander  Graham.  Donald 
Carmichael  &  Elizabeth  McAlister  his  wife.  John,  Alexander  &  Mary 
his  three  Children.  James  Campbell  &  Anna  McDougall  his  wife. 
Archibald  Lauchlin  Eliz  5  &  Janet  his  4  Children.  Neil  McArthur  & 
Mary  Campbell  his  Wife  &  Alexander.  John  and  Christian  his  3 
Children.  Donald  Shaw  &  Merran  Mclnish  his  Wife.  Mary  Camp- 
bell. Elisbie  Sutherland  and  her  Children,  James,  Alexander,  Duncan, 
Margaret  &  Elizabeth  Gillies  5  Children.  Duncan  Taylor  &  Mary 
Gillies  his  Wife  &  Mary  his  Daughter.  Archibald  McEchern  &  Jean 
McDonald  his  wife  &  Catharine  his  Daughter.  Donald  McMillan  & 
Mary  McEachern  his  Wife.  Donald  McCloud  &  Catharine  Graham 
his  Wife,  John  &  Duncan  his  2  sons.  Ronald  McDougall  &  Bettie 
McDougall  his  Wife,  John  &  Alexander  his  2  sons.  Allan  McDougall 
&  Elizabeth  Graham  his  Wife,  Margaret,  Anna  &  hannah  his  3  Daugh- 
ters. Archibald  McDougall  &  Christian  Mclntyre  his  Wife,  Alexander 
&  John  his  2  sons.  Hugh  McDougall.  Archibald  McKellar  &  Jannet 
Reed  his  Wife.  Charles  McKellar  &  Florence  McEachern  his  Wife, 
Margaret,  Catharine  &  Mary  his  3  Daughters.  Catharine  Fraser.  Alex- 
ander McNaught(on)  and  Mary  McDonald  his  Wife,  John,  Moses, 
Janet  &  Eleanor  his  4  children.  John  McNiven  &  Mary  McArthur 
his  Wife,  Elizabeth  &  Mary  his  2  Daughters.  Merran  McNiven. 
Rachel  McNiven.  Patrick  McArthur  &  And  Mary  McDougall  his 
Wife,   Charles,   Colin  &  Janet   his   3    Children.     Duncan   McArthur  & 

326 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

Anna  McQuin  his  Wife,  Anna,  Mary,  Margaret  &  John  4  Children. 
Alexander  McArthur  &  Catharine  McArthur  his  Wife,  John,  Donald, 
Duncan,  Catharine  &  Florence  his  5  Children.  Donald  McEachern 
and  Anna  McDonald  his  Wife,  &  Catharine  his  Daughter.  Neil  Mc- 
Donald &  Anna  McDuffie  his  Wife,  Donald,  Archibald  &  Catharine 
his  3  Children.  Duncan  Gilchrist  &  Florence  McAlister  his  Wife  & 
Mary  his  Daughter.  John  McKenzie  &  Mary  McVurrich  his  Wife, 
Archibald  &  Florence  2  Children.  George  McKenzie  &  Catharine  Mc- 
Niven,  his  Wife,  Donald  &  Colin  his  2  sons.  Malcolm  McDuffie  & 
Rose  Docharty  his  Wife,  Margaret  &  Janet  his  2  Daughters.  Dudley 
McDuffie  &  Margaret  Campbell  his  Wife  &  Archibald  a  son.  John 
Mclntagart.  Malcolm  Martine  &  Florence  Anderson  his  Wife.  Dugald 
McAlpine  &  Mary  McPhaden  his  Wife,  Donald  &  Mary  his  2  Chil- 
dren. John  Mclntaylor.  James  Stewart.  Donald  Campbell  &  Mary 
McKay  his  Wife,  Robert,  James,  Margaret  &  Isabel  his  4  Children. 
William  McGie.  Duncan  Smith.  James  Livingston.  John  Gilchrist. 
Alexander  Gilchrist.  Lauchlin  McVuirich.  Alexander  Campbell. 
Allen  Thompson.  Donald  Mclntyre.  Murdoch  Hammel.  Donald 
Mclntaylor.  John  McColl.  John  McLean.  Christain  Paterson.  Cath- 
arine Lessly.  Mary  Ross.  Jean  Ross.  Merran  Hameel. 
3  3  Familys,  42  passengers,   177  Persons. 

Passengers  from  Islay,  June    1739. 

Robert  Fraser  &  Mary  McLean  his  Wife,  Charles,  Coline,  Sarah, 
Catharine,  Mary  &  Isabel  6  Children.  Archibald  McEuen  &  Janet 
McDougall  his  Wife.  Malcom  McEuen.  James  Nutt  &  Rebecca 
Creighton  his  Wife,  Robert,  John  &  Elizabeth  his  3  Children.  Neil 
Campbell.  Peter  Green.  John  Caldwell  &  Mary  Nutt  his  Wife, 
Alexander  &  James  his  2  Sons.  Neil  McPhaden  &  Mary  McDearmid  . 
his  Wife,  Dirvorgill  &  Margaret  his  2  Daughters.  Angus  Mcintosh. 
Alexander  McChristen.  Catharine  Campbell.  Jean  Cargill.  Florence 
McVurich.  Archibald  McVurich  &  Merran  Shaw  his  Wife.  Neil 
Shaw.  Catharine  Shaw.  John  McQuary  &  Anna  Quarry  his  Wife. 
Patric  McEachern  &  Mary  McQuarry  his  Wife.  Donald  McPhaden. 
Dugald  Thomson  &  Margaret  McDuffie  his  Wife,  Archibald,  Duncan 
&  Christie  &  his  Brothers  Daughter  4  Children.  Patrick  Anderson  & 
Catharine  McLean  his  Wife.  Duncan  Campbell  &  Sarah  Fraser  his 
Wife.  Charles  Mc/Uister  &  Catharine  Mclnnish  his  Wife,  John  & 
Margaret  his  2  Children.  Duncan  McAlister  &  Effie  Keith  his  Wife. 
Donald  Ferguson  &  Flory  Shaw  his  Wife  With  One  Child  of  his  Own 
&  Catharine  &  Anna  Ferguson  his  Brothers  Children.  William  Clark, 
his  Wife  &  one  son  John.  Donald  Livingston  &  Isabel  McCuarg  his 
Wife,  John  &  Duncan  his  2  Children.  John  McEuen  &  Anna  John- 
ston his  Wife  &  his  son  Malcolm.  Lauchlin  McVurich.  John  Mc- 
Donald. James  Cameron.  Mary  Thompson.  Murdock  Mclnnish  & 
Merran   McKay  his   Wife,   Catharine,   Archibald,   Neil,   Anna   &   Flor- 

327 


APPENDIX 

ence  his  5  Children.  Archibald  McDuffie  &  Catharine  Campbell  his 
Wife,  John  and  Duncan  his  2  sons.  Neil  Mclnnish  &  Catharine  Mc- 
Donald his  Wife.  Duncan  Reid  &  Mary  Semple  his  Wife,  Alexander 
Nicholas,  Angus  &  Jennie  his  4  Children.  Neil  Shaw  &  Florence 
McLachlin  his  Wife.  John  Shaw  &  Mary  McNeil  his  Wife,  Neil  & 
Duncan  his  2  sons.  Gustavus  Shaw.  Archibald  McGown  with  his  3 
Children,  Duncan,  John  &  Margaret.  Malcolm  McGown  with  Patrick 
alias  Hector  his  2  Children.  John  McGown  &  Anna  McCuarg  his 
Wife,  Malcolm  and  Angus  his  2  sons.  Donald  McMillan  &  Janet 
Gillies  his  Wife  &  Alexander  his  son.  Alexander  McDuffies  Widow, 
Anna  Campbell  (he  Dieing  at  sea)  Archibald,  Duncan,  James,  Mary 
&  Isabel  his  5  Children.  Duncan  McQuarrie  alias  Brown  &  Effie 
Mcllepheder  his  Wife,  Donald,  John,  Gilbert  &  Christian  his  4  Chil- 
dren. Archibald  Mcllepheder.  Catharine  Mcllpheder.  Donald 
Lindsey  &  Mary  McQuarrie  his  Wife,  Richard  Duncan,  Effie  &  Chris- 
tion  his  4  Children.  Neil  Gillaspie  &  Mary  Mcllepheder  his  Wife, 
Gilbert  and  Angus  his  2  Sons.  John  Reid  &  Margaret  Hyman  his 
Wife  and  his  son  Donald.  Roger  Reid.  Dugald  Carmicheal  & 
Catharine  McEuen  his  Wife,  Janet,  Mary,  Neil  &  Catharine  his  4 
Children.  Merran  McEuen  with  her  Daughter.  Christain  McAulla. 
Patrick  Robertson.  Duncan  McDougall  &  Janet  Calder,  his  Wife, 
John  Alexander,  Ronald,  Dugald  &  Margaret  his  5  Children.  Dugald 
Gilbert,  Flory  &  Margaret  his  3  Children.  Archibald  McCollum  & 
Merran  McLean  his  Wife,  Donald,  John,  Margaret,  Mary  &  Allan 
his  5  Children.  James  Torry  &  Florence  McKay  his  Wife  &  his  Chil- 
dren Mary  &  Catharine.  Nicholas  Mclntyre  &  Margaret  Peterson  his 
Wife  &  John  his  son  &  Catharine.  George  Torry.  Cornelius  Collins. 
Angus  McDougall.  Alexander  Hunter  &  Anna  Anderson  his  Wife, 
his  Children,  William,  Alexander  &  Janet.  Alexander  McArthur  & 
Catharine  Gillies  his  Wife,  Duncan  &  Flora  his  2  Children.  Angus 
Campbell  with  his  son  John.  John  McPhail  &  Christy  Clark  his  Wife, 
Mclntyre. 

42  families,  24  Single  Passengers,   193  Persons. 

Passengers  from  Islay,  November    1740. 

Neil  Campbell.  Edward  Graham  &  Jean  Fraser  his  Wife.  John 
McEuen.  William  Adair.  Malcolm  Campbell.  Alexander  Camp- 
bell &  Margaret  Campbell  his  Wife  &  One  Daughter  Merran.  Duncan 
Campbell  of  ye  family  of  Duntroon.  Alexander  Campbell  of  ye 
family  of  Landie.  Duncan  Campbell  &  anna  Campbell  his  Wife 
(Lenos)  and  one  Daughter  Catarine.  Robert  McAlpine.  Duncan 
Campbell  of  Lochnel.  William  Campbell,  Archibald  Campbell,  of 
Ardenton.  Anna  Campbell.  Duncan  Campbell  of  ye  family  of  Dunn. 
Duncan  McCollum.  John  Mclntyre.  John  Christy  &  Isabel  McArthur 
his  Wife,  Hannah  &  Mary  his  2  Daughters.  John  McArthur  &  his 
son  Neil,  Daughter  Christian.     Angus  Clark  &   Mary  McCollum  his 

328 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

Wife  &  Catharine  &  Mary  his  2  Daughters.  Anne  McNeil  Widow 
to  Hugh  McEuen,  with  her  Son  Alexander  and  Mary  her  2  Children. 
Elizabeth  Cargill.  James  Cargill.  John  Cargill.  David  Cargill! 
Margaret  Cargill.  Ann  McArthur.  Jean  Widrow.  Merran  Mc- 
Indeora.  James  McEuen.  John  Shaw  &  Merran  (Sarah)  Brown  his 
Wife.  Donald  Mary  &  one  Infant  (Margaret  born  at  sea).  Chris- 
tian Brown.  John  McGibbon.  Archibald  Graham.  Roger  Thomp- 
son. John  Campbell.  Duncan  McKinven  &  marian  McCollum  his 
Wife  &  Donald  &  Mary  his  2  Children.  John  McGilvrey  &  Catarine 
McDonald  his  Wife,  Hugh  Donald,  Bridget  &  Mary  his  4  Children. 
Anthony  Murphy.  Duncan  McKay.  Dudley  McDuffie  &  Margaret 
McDougall  his  Wife,  Dugald  &  Mary  his  2  Children.  Duncan  Mc- 
Phadden  &  Flory  McCollum  his  Wife,  John  and  Duncan  his  2  Chil- 
dren. Archibald  McCollum  &  Flory  McEacheon  his  Wife,  Hugh  & 
Duncan  his  2  Sons.  Archibald  Hammel.  Mary  Hammel.  Catharine 
Graham.  Margaret  McArthur  Wife  to  Archibald  McCollum  at  New 
York  &  Anna  &  Mary  his  2  Daughters.  Mary  Anderson,  Widow  with 
her  2  Children.  Duncan  Leech  &  Mary  Leech.  Margaret  McAlister. 
Effie  Mcllvrey.  Lauchlin  McLean.  Angus  Graham.  Roger  McNeil! 
John  Reid.     Ann  McArthur. 

Document  IX 

List  of  Persons  brought  from  Scotland  by  Capt.  Laughlin  Campbell 
in  1738-40.     This  list  was  -probably  prepared  in  1763. 

Heads  of  Families   Imported  in    173  8. 

1  Ronald   Campbell     Deed.      No   family   with   him. 

2  John  Campbell  Dead,  brought  a  Wife  with  him  who  is 
Dead  and  they  have  left  no  Children,  but  he  has  a  sister 
called  Ann,  who  is  married  in  the  Highlands  &  has  5  Childn. 
married  Duncan  Campbell  who  is  in  this  list  hereafter. 

3  Alexander  Montgomery,  now  living,  has  a  Wife  and  no 
Children     200 

4  Archibald  Johnston  he  is  Dead  His  Wife  Kerstain  John- 
ston is  living  as  also  two  Sons  and  three  Daughters,  she  is 
married  to  Daniel  Mc  Alpine.  Macolm  Johnston  for  him- 
self one  Bror.  &  three  Sisters 250 

5  John  McNeil  he  is  Dead,  his  Widow  is  living  and  four 
Daughters  in  this  Province  and  one  in  England.  N:B:  one 
of  the  Daughters  Named  Jane  came  over  in  1740  four 
Daughters 200 

6  Donald  Caemichael,  he  is  Dead,  has  Children,  but  hath  none 
in  this  Province. 

7  James  Campbell  He  is  Dead,  His  Widow  Anna  McDougall 
and  one  Son  Archibald  and  two  Daughters  are  living.  Widow 
(100),  Archibald  the  son   (50),  Isabel   (50) 200 

329 


APPENDIX 

8  Neil  McArthur     Dead,  His  Widow  and  five  Children  Living  300 

9  Donald  Shaw     Dead     Son  and  Daughter  living 200 

10  Elizabeth  Sutherland     She  is  living  and  four  Children 400 

1 1  Duncan  Taylor  living,  and  has  a  Wife  and  Eight  Children 
three  of  them  married 500 

12  Archibald  McEachern  brought  a  Family  Consisting  of  a 
Wife  and  Daughter. 

13  Donald  McMillan  living,  has  a  Wife  and  five  Children, 
two  of  whom   are  Married 400 

14  Donald  McCloud     is  Dead,  &  has  one  Daughter  living 150 

15  Cormick  McCoy  Dead  his  Widow  living  and  a  Son  and 
Daughter    who    are    Married 200 

16  Ronald  McDougall  living,  with  a  Wife  &  two  Children 
who  are  both  Marriwd.  John  one  of  his  Sons  is  Dead  & 
hath  left  two  Children 300 

17  Allan  McDougall  Dead  the  Widow,  one  son  and  four 
Daughters    living 300 

18  Archibald  McDougall,  Living,  has  a  Wife  and  five  Chil- 
dren three  of  whom  are  Married 350 

19  Archibald  McKellar  Dead  hath  left  a  Widow  &  8  Chil- 
dren,     one    Married 450 

20  Chas.  McKellar  Dead  hath  left  a  Widow  and  Seven  Chil- 
dren. One  of  whom  is  Married.  The  Mother  of  these  two 
McKellars  Came  over  with  them  but   is  Dead 400 

21  Alexander  McNaught(on)  Living,  has  a  Wife  and  four 
Children  three  of  whom  are  Married.  he  has  8  Grand 
Children 500 

2  2     John   McNiven     Dead     One  Son  and  four  Daughters  living 

three  of  whom  are   Married 250 

2  3      Malcolm   Martine     Dead     his  Wife  alive     not  Known 

24  Patrick  McArthur  living,  has  a  Wife  two  sons  and  one 
Daughter 250 

25  Duncan  McArthur  Dead,  his  Widow  and  two  sons  and  two 
Daughters  living,  three  of  whom  are  Married 250 

26  Alexander  McArthur  Dead,  two  sons  and  four  Daughters 
four  are  Married.     John  the  Eldest  son     Dead  and  has  left 

a   Widow  and   two  Children 350 

2  7      Donald    McEchern      Dead      his    Widow    and   three    sons    and 

three  Daughters  living,     two  Married 350 

2  8     Neil  McDonald     living,  has  a  Wife  and  Six  Children,     one 

Married 400 

29      Duncan   Gilchrist     himself,    Wife,   and    Six   Children    living, 

one  Married 400 

3  0     John  McKinzie     Dead.     One  Daughter  left 100 

31      Cormick  McCoy     before      (see   No.    15) 

330 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

32     George  McKenzie,     living-  with  his  Wife  and  four  Children, 

two  of  them  Married,     lives  in  New  Jersy 300 

3  3      Malcolm  McDuffie,  &  Wife,  living-  with  three  sons  and  four 

Daughters      one    Married 450 

34  Dudly  McDuffie  Dead  Married  and  (had)  a  son  &  a 
Daughter   the    Daughter    Married 150 

35  Dugald  McAlpine  and  Wife  and  two  Children,  who  are  both 
Married 200 

36  Donald  Campbell  Dead,  his  Wife  and  four  Children  liv- 
ing.     One  of  whom  is  Married 250 

Heads   of   Families   Imported   in    1739. 

1  Robert  Eraser  Dead,  three  Daughters  living,  and  William 
Fraser  the  son  of  Charles     who  was  the  Eldest  son  of  Robert 

&    two    Sisters 250 

2  Archibald  McEuen,  Dead,  two  Children  living  a  Son  & 
Daughter     150 

3  James  Nutt     living,     and  one  son  who  is  Married 200 

4  John  Caldwell  doubtfull  whether  living  or  not,  but  has 
Daughter  living  in  N.  York,  who  is  Married,  &  two  sons 
which  he  took  to  Pensilvania. 

5  Neil  McPhadon  and  Mary  his  Wife  and  one  Daughter  Called 
Margaret  who  is  Married  &  hath  2  Children  are  now  alive.    2  00 

6  Archibald  McVarick  Dead,  his  Widow  living,  who  hath 
two   Children  living  by  another  Marriage. 

7  John  Quary     and  his  Wife  and  four  Children,  one  Married.    300 

8  Patrick  McEachern     Dead,     his  Widow  living 100 

9  Dugald  Tomson    and  his  Wife,  three  sons,  two  sons  Married.   300 
10     Patrick  Anderson,     Dead,   his   Widow   &  two  Daughters   by 

him,  &c     Many  Children  by  another  Marriage 200 

1  1      Duncan    Campbell,      Dead,   his   Widow   &    three    sons   and    a 

Daughter  living,  the  Daughter  Married 250 

12      Charles  McAlister     Dead,     left  two  sons,  three  Children  of 

the  Eldest  son  living,  &  the  youngest  son 200 

Duncan  McAlister,  Dead,  One  son  and  two  Daughters  living.    200 

14  Donald  Ferguson,  Dead,  one  Daughter  living,  and  a  Daugh- 
ter of  his  Brother  whom  he  brought  over 150 

15  William  Clark  his  Wife  and  two  Children,  a  Son  and 
Daughter 250 

16  Donald  Livingston  Dead,  his  Widow  and  Daughter  Living.    150 

17  John  McEwen     living,  and  his  Wife  and  five  Sons 400 

18  Murdock  Mclnnish  Dead,  three  Grandchildren  by  the 
Widow  of  his  son  Neil  by  another  Marriage,  and  three  by 

his  Daughter   Florence 200 

19  Archibald  McDuffie     Dead,  One  son  Duncan  &  two  Children 

&  two  Children  half  Blood 150 

331 


13 


APPENDIX 

20     Neil    Mclnnish       the    son    of    Murdock    above    Mentioned 

Widow  Married  to  Allen  McDonald 100 

31     Duncan  Reid     Living     brot.  over  his  Wife  and   8  Children 

all    Dead    500 

22  Neil   Shaw     Dead.      Five  Grand   Children  living     Neil  the 

Eldest     to  Youngest 200 

Neil  the   Eldest 200 

23  John  Shaw  Dead,  Neil  and  two  other  Children  living  two 
Married,     provided   for  above 

24  Archibald  McGown  Dead  A  Grandson  living  Named 
Archibald,  and  a  Daughter  who  hath  4  sons 200 

25  Malcolm  McGown,  hath  one  son  living  who  is  Married  & 
hath  Children 150 

26  John  McGown,  &  Wife  both  alive 200 

27  Donald  McMillan,  alive,  five  Children  3.  Sons  &  2  Daugh- 
ters        350 

2  8     Alexander    McDuffie,    Died    at    Sea,    his    Widow    and    two 

Daughters,  his  son  Duncan  DufEe  who  is  dead  hath  left  one 
Daughter   called   Anne 250 

29  Duncan  McQuore  &  Wife  and  Five  Children  four  Sons,  & 
One  Daughter  are  living,  the  four  Sons  are  Married 400 

30  Donald  Lindsey  living  One  Son  &  two  Daughters  living 
one  son  &   One   Daughter   Married 250 

31  Neil  Gillaspie     living  as  also  his  Wife  &  one  Daughter.  ...    350 

32  John  Reid  living  as  also  his  Wife  and  five  Children,  three 
Boys  &  one   Girl,   the   Daughter   Married 350 

3  3     Dugall    Carmichael      Dead      One    son    living    Named    John 

brought   over  a   Numerous   family 200 

3+  Merrian  McEuen  Dead  the  above  named  John  the  son  of 
Dugall  is  her  Nephew. 

35  Duncan  McDougall  Alive  as  also  his  Wife  &  six  Children, 
three  Sons  &  two  (three)  Daughters  two  sons  &  a  Daughter 
Married     the  Daughter  a  Widow  &  4  Children 400 

36  Dugald  Campbell     Dead.     Archibald  Campbell  of  N.  York 

his  Heir    150 

3  7     John  McPhail     Dead,     his   Widow   a   son    and    a   Daughter 

living 200 

3  8     Archibald    McCollum      Living,      with    two    sons    and    One 

Daughter,  one  son  &  the  Daughter  Married 250 

39  Nicholas  Mclntire  Dead  his  Widow  two  sons  and  two 
Daughters   living 250 

40  James  Torry  Dead,  two  sons  and  two  Daughters  living, 
Daughters   Married 200 

41  Alexander  Hunter  Dead,  son  &  Daughter  living  who  are 
both  Married  &  have  Children 200 

332 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

42  Alexander  McArthur     Dead     his  Widow  &  One  Son  living 
brought  over   a  large   family 200 

43  John  Campbell  &  Mary  his  Mother     Dead,     Archibald  the 
Nephew  of  John  Living     provided  for 

Heads  of  Families  Imported  in   1740 

1  Edward  Graham     Dead     One  Daughter  living,  provided  for 

2  Alexander   Campbell     Dead,      two  Daughters   living 150 

3  Duncan  Campbell  living  as  also  his  Wife,  with  three  Sons 
and  two  Daughters   35 0 

4  John  Christy  Dead  his  Widow  One  Son  &  three  Daugh- 
ters living,   two   Daughters  Married 250 

5  John  McArthur  Dead  a  Son  and  Daughter  living,  both 
Married 150 

6  Angus  Clark  Dead,  two  sons  &  One  Daughter  living. 
Daniel  the  Eldest  son  Dead,  leaving  a  son  &  Daughter.  ...    250 

7  Anne  McNeil  said  to  be  living  at  Basking  Ridge  in  New 
Jersey,  with  her  Children. 

8  John  Shaw  Dead,  his  Widow  and  four  Children  living  2 
Sons  &  2  Daughters,  a  son  and  a  (two)  Daughters  Mar- 
ked     250 

9  Merrian  McCollum  the  Parties  know  nothing  of  this  Per- 
son at  present     she  having  moved  to  N.  York. 

10  John  Mc  Elvrey     Dead     One  son  living  at  Amboy 100 

11  Dudley   McDuffie      Dead,   his   Widow  &   two   sons  and    two 
Daughters   living.      One   Daughter    Married 250 

12  Duncan   McPhaden     Dead      One  son   John   the  Eldest  Dead 
Leaving  4   Children  &  One  son  Duncan  living 200 

13  Archibald    McCollum      living    with   a   son    and    a   Daughter 
several    Grang   Children 250 

14  Archibald  McColeman     Dead     Widow  and  one  son  and  two 
Daughters    living 200 

15  Mary  Anderson      living,    with   two    Dauthers   both   married, 
who  have  sons  grown  up 200 

16  Duncan  McKinven     Living     and  one  son  &  three  Daughters, 
one  Daughter  Married     New  York 250 

Single    Persons    Imported    in    1738 

1  Hugh  Montgomery  living  in  N.  Y.:  &  is  Married  and  has 
two    Children     200 

2  Mary  Beatton     living,  is  a  Widow  and  has  a  son  Married!  '.    200 

3  Duncan  McEuen"!  ,.   .         . 

4  Jennet  McEuen     [ hvmg    in    the    Jerseys    and    are    Married 

5  Mary  McEuen     J  there 

6  Mary  McEuen  lives  in  or  about  the  same  place  &  is  Mar- 
ried there 

7  Jennet  Ferguson    Dead,  One  son  living  in  N.Y: 150 

333 


APPENDIX 

8  Mary  Graham     Dead,  has  Children  living  in  the  Manor  of 
Livingston     200 

9  Margaret   McNeil      Living   in    the    Highlands. 

10  Angus  McAlister     Said  to  be  living  in  Carolina. 

11  Alexander  Graham     Died,  has  left  two  sons  both  in  N.  Y. .  .  200 

12  Hugh    McDougall     lives   in   Livingston    Manor 200 

1 3  *Merran    McNiven    200 

14  *Rachel    McNiven     200 

*both  live  in  New  York  and  have  Children 

1 5  James  Livingston      Dead,   his   Widow   and    Children   live    in 
Trenton  in  Jersey. 

1 6  *John  Gilchrist    200 

1 7  *  Alexander    Gilchrist     200 

*both    living,    and    are    Married    in    the    Highlands    of    this 

Province 

18  Alexander  Campbell,  is  Married  &  has  a  family  in  Amboy. 

19  Donald  Mclntire     Lives  in   New  York,   one  son,  &  a  Wife 
who  likewise  came  over  with  Capt.  Campbell  as  p  List.  ...    250 

20  Murdoch   Hammell     lives  in   the  Island   of  Jamaica. 

2 1  John  McLean     Has  a  Relation  in  Town. 

22  *Lauchlin    McLean    

23  *Mary  Ross  married   after  their   arrival 200 

*Died  leaving  one   Child    named   Catharine  Who   is  now   in 

Albany 

Single  Persons   Imported   in    1739. 

1  Malcolm  McEuen     is  Dead  but  has  left  three  Children  who 
now  live  in  New  York 200 

2  Neil   Campbell      lives   in   the   Island    of  Jamaica. 

3  Catharine  Campbell     lives  in  the  Highlands 150 

4  Jane    Cargill      Married    in    New    York    to    Mr.    Van    Vleck 
Merchant    150 

5  Florence   McVarick,   is   Married   and   has  Children,      in  Liv- 
ingston   Manor     200 

6  Catharine  Shaw     lives  in  New  York  is  Married  and  has  one 
Child     150 

7  Mary  Thomson     Married   and  lives  in  Pennsylvania. 

8  ^Archibald    Mcllpheder    200 

9  ^Catharine    Mcllpheder     150 

*both  Married  and  live  in  the   Highlands  &  have   Children. 

10  Roger  Reid     Married  and  lives  in   the   Highlands,  &  has   3 
Children    200 

1 1  George  Torry     Dead,  has  left  one  Child  in  N.  York 150 

12  Cornelius   Collins     lives  in  the  Jerseys. 

13  Angus  McDougall     is  Married  and  lives  in  the  Highlands.  200 

14  David  Shaw     Dead.     Widow  living  in  Tappan 150 

334 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

Single  Persons  Imported  in    1740. 

1  John    McEuen      lives    in    the    Province    of    Pennsylvania    a 
Doctor. 

2  Malcolm  Campbell     lives  in  New  York,  a  Merchant 200 

3  Alexander  Campbell     Dead     but  has  one  Daughter  alive  in 
New   York 150 

4  Robert  McAlpine     lives  in  New  York,  has  a  family  of  five 
Sons  &  2  Daughters 200 

5  Duncan    Campbell      Married    in    New    York    and    has    sevl. 
Children 200 

6  *  William    Campbell    200 

7  *Archibald    Campbell    200 

*both  Dead,  but  have  left  Children  who  live   in   the   High- 
lands. 

8  Anne  Campbell     lives  in  the  Highlands  &  is  Married  &  has 
a  family  of   6  Children. 

9  John   Mclntire      a    Clergyman    in   Pennsylvania 200 

for  a  place  of  Worship  &  School  house 500 

10  Elizabeth  Cargill     lives  in  Tappan  and  is  Married   there..    150 

1 1  *  James    Cargill    200 

12  *John   Cargill    200 

1 3  *David   Cargill    200 

*A11   living   in    N.    Y.    and    are    Married    &    have    Children. 

14  Margaret    Cargill      is   a    Widow,    has    Children    &    lives    at 
New    Rochell 15  0 

15  Anna  McArthur     Married   in   Albany 150 

16  Jane  Widrow     Is  Married  &  has  a  family  of   7  Children  in 

the   Highlands    200 

1 7  James  McEuen     Said  to  live  in  Boston. 

18  Roger  Thomson     Dead,     his  Widow  lives   in  Amboy  &  his 
Children. 

19  John   Campbell     Married   in  New   York 200 

20  Mary   Hammel     Dead,   but   has   a   Daughter   left  who  lives 

in    the    Highlands 150 

21  Margaret  McAlister     is  Married  and  lives  at  the  Manor  of 
Livingston       15  0 

22  Angus    Graham     Lives    in    New    York,    has    two    sons    &    3 
Daughters 

23  Roger  McNeil     Living  on   Long   Island 200 

24  Anne  McArthur     Lives  in  the  Highlands  &  has  five  Children  200 

25  Margaret   Gilchrist     Lives  in   New   York 15Q 

26  John  Torry     Married  and  living  in  N.  York 200 

(Colonial  Manuscripts,  vol.   72,  p.    170,  New  York  State  Library.) 

335 


APPENDIX 

Document  X 

A  further  Account  Delivered  by  Alexander  McNaught(on)  and 
Duncan  Reid  of  Persons  who  did  Emigrate  with  Captain  Campbell 
in  1738.  1739,  and  1740,  and  who  have  or  their  Descendants  or 
persons  Impowered,  lately  appeared  and  Requested  a  Proportion  of 
the  lands  Intended  to  be  Granted.  .  .  .  This  account  was  delivered  on 
.  .  .  the   10th  of  May   1763. 

George  Campbell  of  the  City  of  New  York  Merchant  came  over  in 
pursuance  of  a  Letter  written  by  Captain  Campbells  orders  to  him  and 
dated  in  1742,  Offering  him  Incouragement  Concerning  the  Lands 
then  promised.  .  .  . 

John  McCore  came  over  in  1739,  he  is  now  Married  and  lives  in 
the  Highlands.   .  .   . 

Archibald  McCore  came  over  in  1739.  is  Married  and  lives  in 
Tappan.  .  .  . 

James  McNaught(on)  dead,  came  in  1740  but  his  Brothers  son 
John  McNaught(on)  who  lives  in  Tappan,  prays  his  proportion  and 
Engages  to  settle  it  .   .   .  provided   for  before 

Duncan  Campbell  came  in  1 740,  and  his  Brothers  Daughter  Mary 
Ann  Campbell  of  the  City  of  New  York,  prays  his  proportion  & 
will  Engage  to  settle  it.  .  .   . 

Angus  McAlister  came  in  173  8,  is  now  living  in  South  Carolina 
and  his  Sisters  Daughter  who  is  Married  to  Jacob  Vandle  of  N.  Y. 
will  enter  into  any  Engagements  necessary   during  his  Absence.    .   .   . 

Peter  Robertson  came  in  1739,  is  dead — his  Cousin  John  McDonald 
of  the  City  of  New  York  Carpenter  prays  his  proportion  and  Engages 
to  settle  it.  .   .  . 

Mary  Thompson  came  in  1739,  lives  in  Pensilvania,  her  Cousin 
Duncan  Reid  of  N.  Y.  praus  her  proportion  and  Engages  to  settle 
it.  .  .  . 

Charles  McArthur  of  the  City  of  N.  York  with  his  Wife  and  Fam- 
ily came  on  Board  in  1738,  and  the  Ship  being  too  much  Crouded 
was  turned  ashore,  and  as  they  had  sold  all  their  Effects  this  Obliged 
them  to  go  to  Ireland  where  he  took  a  Passage  and  arrived  here  a 
fortnight  before  the  ship  in  which  he  first  Engaged  with  Captain 
Campbell.   .  .  . 

Donald  McMillan  came  in  1738,  he  is  now  dead  &  Allan  McDonald 
of  the  City  of  New  York  Tavern  Keeper  his  Kinsman  Engages 
to  settle  his  Proportion.  .   .   . 

Neil  Campbell  lives  in  Jamaica,  came  in  1739,  Alexander  Mont- 
gomery of  Tappan  who  is  Married  to  his  Mother  will  take  a  Grant 
in  Trust  for  him  &  Enter  into  the  Necessary  Engagements. 

Ronald  Campbell  came  in  1738,  George  Campbell  of  this  Province 
Pedlar,  prays  his  Proportion  being  his  nearest  Relation.   .   .   . 

336 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

Donald  Campbell  now  living  in  Jamaica  came  in  1738  his  Cousin 
Duncan  Campbell  of  this  City  appears  to  act  in  Trust  for  him.  .  .  , 

Jennet  Ferguson  is  now  dead  came  in  1738  and  her  son  Alexander 
McDonald  a  Rope  Maker  in  New  York  prays  A  grant  of  her  pro- 
portion &  Engages  to  settle  it.  .  .  . 

William  Campbell  Joiner  now  dead,  came  in  173  8  his  Cousin  Alex- 
ander McNaught(on)  in  Tappan  prays  a  Grant  of  his  share  &  En- 
gages to  settle.  .  .  . 

Catharine  Graham  came  in  1740  died  in  New  York  and  her  Broth- 
ers son  John  Graham  of  New  York  prays  a  Right  to  her  share  &c.  .  . 

John  McDonald  came  in  1739,  is  now  at  sea,  his  Cousin  Allan 
McDonald  of  N.  York  will  act  in  his  Absence.  .  .  . 

John  Reid  came  in  1740  is  gone  to  Virginia,  his  Uncles  Son  Peter 
Reid  in  Tappan  Engages  to  Act  for  him.   .  .   . 

Duncan  McKay  came  in  1740,  went  to  sea  &  is  dead,  his  Cousin 
Mary  McKay  of  the  City  of  New  York  Widdow  prays  a  right  to  his 
share  which  she  Engages  to  settle.  .  .  . 

Margaret  Gilchrist  came  in   1740,  lives  in  New  York.  .  .  . 

Duncan  McCollum  came  in  1740,  died  here,  and  Daniel  Campbell 
of  this  City  his  Cousin  prays  a  right  to  his  share  which  he  Engages 
to  settle.  .  .  . 

William  Adair  came  in  1740,  dead,  his  Cousin  Duncan  Reid  prays 
a  right  to  his  share  which  he  Engages  to  settle.  .   .  . 

John  Mclntaylor  came  in  1738  and  his  Uncles  Son  Donald  Smith 
of  the  City  of  New  York  Mariner  prays  a  right  to  his  proportion 
which  he  Engages  to  settle.  .  .  . 

Archibald  McEachern  and  his  Wife  Jean  McDonald  and  one 
Daughter  came  in  173  8,  and  his  Cousin  Finlay  McEachern  is  desirous 
of  Taking  their  proportion  in   Trust  until  they  can   be   found.   .   .   . 

Alexander  Christy  came  in  173  8,  is  dean  and  his  Cousin  Mary 
Christy  who  is  Married  to  Duncan  Campbell  of  New  York  prays  a 
right  to  his  proportion  which  he  will  Engage  to  settle.  .  .  . 

William  Campbell  Wheel  wright  came  in  1738  is  dead  and  his 
Cousin  Mary  Mackey  of  the  City  of  New  York  prays  a  grant  of  his 
proportion  which  she  will  Engage  to  settle.  .  .  . 

Donald  Mclntaylor  came  in  173  8  is  dead  and  his  Cousin  Alexander 
Taylor  in  Tappan  prays  a  Grant  of  his  Proportion  which  she  will 
Engage  to  settle.  .  .  . 

Jane  Ross  came  in  173  8,  is  Dead,  has  a  Daughter  living  which  is 
a  Minor,  and  John  Torry  of  N.  York  prays  a  grant  of  her  Propor- 
tion which  he  Engages  to  settle  in  trust  for  the  Minor.  .  .  . 

Donald  Mclntyre  came  in  173  8,  is  Dead  leaving  Malcolm  Graham 
of  N.  York     Pruke  maker  his  son.   .   .  . 

Malcolm  McDuffie  camd  in  1739  is  Dead,  &  and  his  Kinsman 
Duncan  Reid  of  N.  York  prays  his  Proportion  which  he  will  settle^  .  . 

337 


APPENDIX 

Roger  Thompson  came  in  1740  died  in  the  Provincial  Service  has 
left  a  Widdow  &  one  Child  in  Amboy,  who  hath  appointed  Archibald 
Gilchrist  of  N.  York  to  act  for  them.  .  .  . 

Catharine  Fraser  came  in  1739,  is  Dead  leaving  one  Daughter  called 
Elizabeth  who  lives  in  New  York,  who  hath  appointed  her  Cousin 
Robert  Campbell  of  N.  York  to  act  for  her.  .   .  . 

Mary  Fraser  came  in  1739  and  is  married  &  lives  in  New  York.  .  . 

Gustavus  Shaw  came  in  1739,  is  Dead  &  his  Nephew  Neal  Shaw  of 
the  City  of  New  York  Rope  maker,  in  Trust  for  the  Rest  of  his  Heirs 
prays  his  proportion  which  he  Engages  to  settle.   .   .   . 

Catharine  Fraser  came  in  173  8  is  Dead,  and  has  left  two  Grand- 
daughters, one  named  Catharine  Montgomery  &  'tother  Catharine 
Stevenson  who  are  both  Married  &  live  in  New  York.   .   .  . 

Elizabeth  Fraser  came  in  1739  and  is  Married  &  lives  in  New  York. 

John  McLean  came  in  1738  is  Dead  and  his  Cousin  Alexander 
McLean  of  the  City  of  Albany  prays  his  share  which  he  Engages  to 
settle.  .  .  . 

Marian  Culbreth  came  in  1739,  is  Dead,  &  Duncan  Reid  her  next 
heir  Prays  her  share  which  he  Engages  to  settle.  .  .  . 

Alexander  Campbell  came  in  173  8,  lives  in  Amboy,  hath  applyed 
and  declares  his  willingness  to  settle  such  Proportion  as  shall  be 
granted  to  him.   .  .  . 

John  Brady  came  in  1 740,  had  5  Children,  one  of  whom  named 
Hugh  lives  in  Amboy  and  prays  his  fathers  proportion  which  he 
Engages  to  settle.  .  .  . 

Effie  Mcllevray  came  in   1740,  and  lives  in  New  York.  .  .  . 

John  McDougall  came  in  1739,  died  a  privateering  in  the  last  war, 
his  Brother  Dougal  McDougall  of  new  Y'ork  prays  his  proportion  &c. 
(Endorsement) 

(New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts,  vol.  72,  p.  171,  in  the  New 
York   State   Library,  Albany,   N.   Y.) 


Document  XI 

On  August  12th  1771  Sarah,  the  widow  of  Jo Jm  Shaw  f resented 
the  following. 

Petition  of  Sarah  Shaw  and  Others,   12  Aug.   1771. 

To  The  Honourable  William  Tyron  Esqr.  Governor  In  &  Over 
his  Majesties  Province  of  Newyork  &  and  the  teritories  thereon  de- 
pending in  America,  Chancellor,  And  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same. 

The  Petition  of  Sarah  Shaw  Widow  &  Relict  of  John  Shaw  Late 
of  the  City  of  Newyork  Yeoman  Deceased,  that  Neal  Shaw  William 
Castle  &  Mary  his  Wife  that  These  are  the  Children  of  Margerett 
McDougall,  Daughter  of  the  sd.  John  &  Sarah  Shaw  Most  humbly 
Shrweth 

338 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

That  About  the  year  of  One  Thousand  Seven  hundred  &  forty 
your  Petitioner  Sarah  Shaw  together  with  her  husband  John  Shaw, 
her  Children  Dani.  Shaw  &  Mary  Castle  then  Mary  &  One  Christian 
Browne  Since  deed.  Enfants  Left  there  habitation,  in  the  Shire  of 
Arguile  in  Scotland  in  the  Hand  of  Great  Britain,  &  Embarked  On 
board  the  Ship  Happy  Return  Captn.  Locklin,  Campbell  for  this  Port 
being  Encouraged  by  the  Assurance  Given  bv  the  Said  Capt.  Camp- 
bell, that  Every  head  of  a  family  Should  on  ther  Arrival  in  .America 
Should  obtain  a  grant  of  a  1000.  Acres  of  Land  &  that  every  Child 
that  was  a  full  Passenger  should  have  500.  Acres  Each,  That  your 
Petitioner  Margt.  Shaw  was  born  at  Sea  in  the  Voyage  so  that  the  sd 
John  Shaw  To,  Gether  With  his  Wife  Children  &  the  sd.  Christian 
Browne  Made   Up   Six   Passengers. 

That  On  their  Arrival  in  Newyork  they  Underwent  The  Greatest 
hardships  By  the  Land  not  being  Granted  According  to  the  sd.  Captn 
Canpbells  Assurances  &  their  distress  Was  very  Much.  Heightened, 
As  the  sd.  John  Shaw,  Nor  Any  One  of  his  family  Could  Spake  One 
Word  of  English.  &  the  sd.  John  Shaw  Was  Obliged  to  work  at 
hard  Labour  During  the  Rest  of  his  Life  for  the  Maintaince  of  him- 
self and  family  &  died  Abt.  Eleven  years  Since  Without  Obtaining 
Any  Land  at  all  &  by  his  death  yr.  Pertitioner  the  sd.  Sarah  Shaw 
looks  Upon  herself  in  Right  of  her  sd.  husband  to  be  Entitled  to  such 
Quantity  of  Land  as  he  would  have  binn  Entitled  to  had  he  been 
Living  &  the  Said  Christian  Browne  Being  some  time  since  deceased, 
the  sd.  Sarah  Shaw  as  her  Sister  &  hier  at  law,  Looks  Upon  herself 
to  be  Entitled  also  To,  the  Sd.  Lands  of  Christian  Brown,  which  were 
to  have  bin  Granted  had  the  same  bin  Obtained  in  the  Lifetime  of 
the  Said  John  Shaw,  &  Christian  Brown. 

That,  your  Pertitioners  the  sd.  Neal  Shaw  Mary  Castles  &  Margt 
McDougall,  Humbly  Presume  that  they  are  Entitled  To  such  Quantity 
of  Land  Each,  as  Were  Originally  Promised  To  be  granted  to  Chil- 
dren of  Passengers  who,  Came  with  the  sd.  Captn.  Campbell  Namely 
500.  Acres  to  Each  Child.  And  more  so,  as  the  Sd.  Danl.  Shaw  the 
Eldest  Son  of  the  said  John  &  Sarah  Shaw  has  Allready  Obtained  a 
Quantity  of  Land  by  Virtue  of  the  Right  Under  Which  your  Perti- 
tioners His  Brothers  &  Sisters   Claim. 

That,  abd.  8  years  Since  Aplication  was  made  to  your  Pertitioner 
Sarah  Shaw  by  One  George  Campbell  Duncan  Reade  &  Alexr.  Mc- 
Knight  for  money  for  her  &  childrens.  Proportions  of  the  Exspence 
of  Surveying  &  Obtaining  the  Lands  in  the  Argile,  Patent,  Which 
Severall   Proportions   the   sd.   Sarah   Shaw   did    then   Accordingly   Pay. 

And  has  Since  Chearfully  Contributed  to  that  End  as  often  as  she 
has  binn  Asked  so  to  doe  but  Notwithstanding  all  the  Exspence  that 
she  has  pd.  Neither  your  Pertitioner  the  said  Sarah  Shaw  Nor  Any 
One  of  your  Pertitioners  have  Obtained  Any  Land,  Tho,  the  Argyle 
Patent  Out  of  which  the  said  Lands  Was  to  have,  been  Granted  to  your 

339 


APPENDIX 

Pertitioners  has  Binn  Some  time  Since  divided  &  the  Only  Satisfaction 
your  Pertitioners  have  Binn  Offered  Upon  their  Appling  to  the  Trus- 
tees is  to  have  So  much  money  repaid  to  your  Pertitioners  the  sd. 
Sarah  Shaw,  as  she  has  Contributed  On  the  Behalf  of  herself  &  the 
Rest  of  your  Pertitioners  her  Children  Which  your  Pertitioner  Cannot 
think  to  be  an  adequate  Satisfaction  for  their  Writes  in  the  said  Lands. 

Your  Pertitioner  therefore  humbly  Pray  your  Excellency  To  take 
their  Case  into  Consideration,  &  that  your  Pertitioners  May  Obtain  as 
much  Land  as  they  are  Entitled  To  in  Equal  Proportions  With  the 
Rest  of  the  Propriators  of  Land  in  The  Arguile  Patent.  Or  if  it 
Should  Appear  that  the  whole  Of  the  Sd.  Patent  Should  be  divided 
that  your  Pertitioners  May  Be  Allotted  So  much  Land  in  some  Other 
Pleace  as  May  be  Equivalent  to  their  Wrights  in  the  Sd.  Arguile 
Patent,  and  that  in  that  Case  the  Trustees  for  the  said  Arguile  Patent 
may  Pay  Back  to  the  sd.  Sarah  Shaw  as  much  Money  as  she  has 
Already  Paid  in  Respect  of  Obtaining  The  Lands  in  Said  Arguile 
Patent. 

And  Your  Pertitioners  Will  for  Ever  Pray. 
Newyk.   Augst.    12.    1771 

(Addressed)      To  His  Excellency  Willm.   Tryon  Esqr. 
Present. 

(Endorsed)  Petition  of  Sarah  Shaw  Widow  of  John  Shaw.  Reed: 
26th  Augst.    1771. 

1771   Augt.   28  Read  in  Council  and  referred  to  a  Committee 

The  lands  were  granted  to  the  Petitioners  Brother 

Rejected.  (New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts,  97:7  3,  in  the  New 
York  State  Library,  Albany,  N.  Y.) 

Document  XII 

Deed  to  Lot  No.   32  of  the  Argyle  Patent  Granted  to 
Alexander  (I)   McNaughton 

(NOTE.  Alexander  McNaughton  was  one  of  the  five  original 
trustees  of  the  Argyle  patent.  The  trustees  of  said  patent  were  re- 
quired to  convey  the  lands  granted  to  themselves  as  individuals  to 
some  other  person  in  trust. 

In  order  to  comply  with  this  provision  of  the  patent,  the  lands  of 
Alexander  McNaughton  were  conveyed  to  his  only  surviving  son  John 
(2)  McNaughton.) 

This  Indenture  Made  the  15th.  day  of  January  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  1765  Between  Duncan  Read  of  the  City  of  New  York,  Gentle- 
man j  Peter  Middleton,  of  the  same  City,  Physician;  Archibald  Camp- 
bell of  the  same  City;  Merchant;  Alexander  McNachten,  of  Orange 
County,  Farmer;  and  Neal  Gillaspie,  Of  Ulster  County,  Farmer,  of 
the  one  part:  And  John  McNachten  of  Orange  County,  Farmer,  of 
the  Other  part. 

340 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

Whereas,  his  present  majesty  George  the  Third,  bv  the  Grace  of 
God,  of  great  Bntian,  France,  and  Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the 
Faith,  &c.  by  his  certain  Letters  Patent,  under  the  great  seal  of  the 
Province  of  New  York,  reciting  as  is  therein  recited,  did  give  and 
grant  unto  the  said  Duncan  Read,  one  Neal  Shaw,  the  said  Archibald 
Campbell,  Alexander  McNachten,  and  Neal  Gillaspie,  and  to  their 
Heirs  and  Assigns,  All  that  certain  Tract  or  Parcel  of  Land,  by  the 
same  Letters  Patent  created  a  Township,  bv  the  name  of  Argyle, 
situate,  lying  and  being  on  the  east  side  of  Hudson's  River,  in  the 
County  of   Albany. 

Beginning  at  the  East  bank  of  the  said  River,  at  the  South  West 
comer  of  a  tract  of  Land  granted  to  James  Bradshaw,  and  others, 
called  Kingsbury  and  runs  thence  along  the  south  bounds  of  said 
tract,  East  492  chains  to  the  South  East  corner  thereof;  and  then 
along  the  East  bounds  of  the  said  tract  called  Kingsbury,  North  four 
Chains:  then  East  236  Chains,  then  South  882  Chains  to  the  middle 
of  a  stream  of  water  called  Batten  Kill,  then  down  the  middle  of  said 
stream  as  it  runs,  including  the  half  of  said  Creek  or  Kill,  called  the 
Batten  Kill,  to  the  East  Bounds  of  a  tract  of  land  lately  surveyed  for 
Donald  Campbell  and  others;  then  along  the  said  East 'bounds*  of  the 
said  tract  surveyed  for  Donald  Campbell  and  others,  North  367 
Chains,  to  the  North  East  corner  thereof;  and  then  along  the  North 
bounds  of  the  same  tract,  West  317  Chains  to  the  East  bounds  of  a 
tract  of  Land  granted  to  John  Schuyler  Junior,  and  others;  then  along 
the  said  East  bounds  of  the  last  mentioned  tract  North  90°  East  651 
Chains  to^he  North  East  corner  of  said  tract:  West  33  Chains,  then 
South  60  West  six  Chains  to  a  tract  of  land  granted  to  Steven 
Bayard;  then  along  the  North  bounds  of  the  last  mentioned  tract, 
then  West  205  Chains,  to  Hudson's  River;  then  up  the  stream  of  the 
said  River  as  it  runs,  to  the  place  where  this  tract  first  began;  contain- 
ing  47,450  acres  of  land,  with  the  usual  allowance  for  highways,  to- 
gether with  the  hereditaments  and  appurtenances  thereunto  belonging. 
To  have  and  to  hold  the  same  tract  of  land  and  premises,  with  the 
appurtenances  thereby  granted  and  confirmed  (except  as  therein  is 
excepted)  unto  them  the  said  Duncan  Read,  Neal  Shaw,  Archibald 
Campbell,  Alexander  McNachten  and  Neal  Gillaspie,  their  heirs  and 
assgns,  for  ever,  to,  for  and  upon  the  several  and  respective  use  and 
uses,  itents  and  purposes  therein  expressed,  limited,  declared,  and  ap- 
pointed, of  and  concerning  the  same,  and  every  part  and  parcel  there- 
of!, subject  to  such  Quit-rents,  reservations,  and  restriction  as  in  and 
by  the  same  Letters  Patent  are  reserved,  limited  and  declared,  of  and 
concerning  the  same  tract  of  land  and  primises. 

And  in  and  by  the  same  letters  patent,  the  said  Duncan  Read,  Neal 
Shaw,  Archibald  Campbell,  Alexander  McNachten,  and  Neal  Gillas- 
pie, their  heirs  and  assigns,  are  particularly  authorized  and  directed, 
to  cause  the  said  tract  to  be  divided  among  those  for  whose  use  the 

341 


APPENDIX 

same  is  thereby  granted;  and  to  release  their  respective  shares  thereof 
to  them,  and  in  all  things  to  execute  the  said  trust  in  such  manner  and 
form  as  by  the  same  letters  patent  is  prescribed  and  directed,  as  in 
and  by  the  same  Leters  Patent,  recorded  in  the  Secretary's  Office  of 
the  Province  of  New  York,  in  Libro  Patents,  No,  14,  Pages  3  to  17, 
among  other  things  therein  contained,  may  more  fully  appear,  relation 
thereunto  being  had. 

And  whereas,  the  said  Duncan  Read,  Neal  Shaw,  Archibald  Camp- 
bell, Alexander  McNachten  and  Neal  Gillaspie,  the  Trustees  in  the 
said  Letters  Patent  named,  agreeable  to  the  directions  thereof,  for  the 
equitable  locating  in  the  said  township  of  Argyle,  the  situation  and 
place  of  each  of  the  smaller  lots  or  tracts,  for  which  the  uses  and 
trusts  are  therein  respectively  limited  and  declared,  after  public  notice 
given  to  the  persons  for  whose  uses  respectively  the  said  Township 
was  so  granted  to  them  in  trust,  have  caused  lots  to  be  drawn  by 
Ballot,  for  the  place  where  the  several  and  respective  quantities  of  land, 
so  holden  for  them  respectively  in  trust  as  afore  said,  should,  in  the 
said  Township,  be  located  and  fixed;  and  have  likewise  caused  the 
said  Township  to  be  actyally  surveyed  and  divided,  and  the  several 
shares  and  allotments  to  be  measured  out,  for  the  respective  persons 
for  whom  they  hold  in  trust,  in  the  several  places  in  the  said  Town- 
ship, whereon  by  the  balloting  aforesaid  they  were  fixed  and 
ascertained. 

and  in  order  to  divide  the  said  Township  to  the  best  advantage  of 
the  parties  interested  therein,  the  said  Trustees  have  likewise  caused 
part  thereof  to  be  laid  out  in  town  lots,  and  the  residue  thereof  in 
convenient  farms;  and  for  the  better  distinguishing  of  said  Lots  and 
Farms,  have  caused  the  said  Town  Lots  to  be  marked  and  distinguished 
by  numbers,  from  the  Number  One,  to  the  Number  141,  both  inclu- 
sive; and  the  said  Farms,  from  the  like  Number  One,  to  the  Number 
141,  both  also  inclusive;  the  share  appropriated  by  the  same  Letters 
Patent  for  the  use  of  a  Minister  and  School-Master,  being  first  set 
apart  and  ascertained  for  those  purposes;  and  have  likewise  caused  a 
Map  or  Plan  of  the  entire  subdivision  of  the  said  Township  to  be 
made  and  subscribed  by  Archibald  Campbell  of  Rariton  in  New  Jersy, 
and  Christopher  Yates  of  Schenectaby,  the  Surveyors,  who  run  out 
and  surveyed  the  same,  to  be  preserved  as  a  testimonial  of  the  execu- 
tion of  that  part  of  the  trust  reposed  in  them  the  said  Trustees,  in 
and  by  the  Letters  Patent  (as  by  the  same  Map  or  Plan  will  fully 
appear,  relation  being  being  likewise  thereunto  had). 

And  whereas,  since  the  said  several  proceedings  toward  the  execu- 
tion of  the  said  trust,  he  the  said  Peter  Middleton,  party  to  these 
presents  by  force  and  virtue  of  certain  Indentures  of  Lease  and  Re- 
lease, bearing  the  date  the  12th  &  13th  of  October  last  past,  and 
made  between  the  aforenamed  Neal  Shaw  of  the  one  part,  and  him, 
the  said  Peter  Middleton,  of  the  other  part,  is  in  due  form  of  Law 

342 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

become  one  of  the  Trustees  of  and  concerning  the  said  Township  of 
Argyle,  for  the  persons  interested  therein,  in  the  place  and  stead  of 
him,  the  said  Neal  Shaw,  according  to  the  meaning-,  form  and  effect 
of  the  same  Letters  Patent  (as  by  the  same  Indenture  of  Lease  and 
Release,  may  fully  appear,  relation  being-  thereunto  had). 

And  whereas,  all  and  singular  the  lands  and  premises  hereafter  in 
these  presents  particularly  mentioned  and  described  part  of  the  town- 
ship of  Argyle,  are,  by  virtue  of  the  said  Letters  Patent,  and  the 
several  proceedings  of  the  said  Trustees,  in  the  execution  of  the  trust 
thereby  reposed  in  them,  become  the  distinct  and  separate  right  and 
property  of  the  aforesain  John  McNachten  party  to  these  presents, 
who  by  virtue  of  misne  conveyances  is  become  legally  entitled  to  the 
right  and  share  of  his  father  Alexander  McNachten,  for  whose  sole 
and  seperate  use  600  acres  and  the  usual  allowance  for  highways,  part 
of  the  said  township  of  Argyle  are  especially  granted,  limited  and 
appointed   in  and  by  the  said  Letters  Patent. 

Now  therefore  this  Indenture  Witnesses,  that  they,  the  said  Duncan 
Read,  Peter  Middleton,  Archibald  Campbell,  Alexander  McNachton 
and  Neal  Gillaspie  for  accomplishing  the  trust  reposed  in  them  by  the 
said  recited  Letters  Patent  and  also  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of 
Ten  Shillings,  Crrent  Money  of  the  colony  of  New  York,  to  them 
in  hand  paid  by  the  said  John  McNachton  at  or  before  the  ensealing 
and  delivery  of  these  presents,  receipe  whereof  we  do  hereby  acknowl- 
edge, have  granted,  assigned,  released  and  confirmed,  and  by  these 
presents  do  grant,  assign,  release  and  confirm  unto  the  said  John 
McNachton  in  actual  possession  now  being,  by  virtue  of  a  bargain, 
sale  and  lease  for  one  year,  to  him  thereof  made  by  the  said  Duncan 
Read,  Peter  Middleton,  Archibald  Campbell,  Alexander  McNachton 
and  Neal  Gillaspie  by  Indenture,  bearing  date  the  day  before  the 
date  hereof}  and  also  by  force  of  the  statute  for  transfering  of  uses 
into  possession  and  to  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever.  All  certain  Lot 
of  Ground  in  the  town  Plat  of  the  said  Township  of  Argyle,  dis- 
tinguished by  No.  32  of  the  Town  Lots,  bounded  as  follows  to  Wit — 
Begining  on  the  South  Side  of  the  Street  at  a  Beach  Tree  marked  31 
&  32,  then  running  East  13  chains  and  72  links  to  a  Walnut  tree 
marked  32  &  3  3,  then  running  South  43  chains  and  73  links  to  a 
Maple  Sapling  marked  32  &  3  3,  then  running  West  13  chains  and  72 
Links  to  a  stake  15  links  East  from  a  Beach  Sapling  marked  32  & 
31,  then  running  North  to  where  it  began,  containing  60  acres,  strict 
measure^  &  Also  all  that  Farm  in  the  said  Township  distinguished 
by  No.  32  of  the  farm  lots  Bounded  as  follows  to  Wit  Beginning  at 
a  stake  south  east  14  links  from  an  Elm  Tree  marked  31  &  32  then 
running  South  along  Campbells  land  49  chains  57  links  to  a  black 
Oake  tree  marked  32  &  33,  then  running  East  115  chains  &  nine  links 
to  its  corner  in  the  middle  of  a  brook,  &  a  Basswood  tree  standing  on 
the   West   side    of   the   said    brook    notched    for   the   said    corner,   then 

343 


APPENDIX 

North  49  chains  57  links  to  a  Beach  Saplin  marked  32  &  31  thence 
West  to  where  it  began,  containing  570  acres,  including  the  usual 
allowance  for  highways  Together  with  all  and  singular  the  Profits, 
Privileges,  Advantages,  Emoluments,  Rights,  Members,  Hereditaments, 
and  appurtenances  to  the  same  hereby  released  premises  belonging,  or 
in  any  wise  appertaining  j  and  all  the  Estate,  Right,  Title,  Interest, 
Reversion,  Claim  and  Demand  whatsoever,  of  them  the  said  Duncan 
Read,  Peter  Middleton,  Archibald  Campbell,  Alexander  McNachton 
and  Neal  Gillaspie,  of,  in,  and  to  the  same:  To  have  and  to  hold 
the  same  premises  hereby  granted  and  released,  or  mentioned,  or 
intended  so  to  be,  with  their,  and  every  of  their  Appurtenances  unto 
the  said  John  McNachten,  Heirs,  and  Assigns,  to  the  only  proper  use 
and  behoof  of  him  the  said  John  McNachten,  Heirs  and  Assigns  for- 
ever, in  as  full  and  ample  manner,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  as 
they,  they  said  Duncan  Read,  Peter  Middleton,  Archibald  Campbell, 
Alexander  McNachten  and  Neal  Gillaspie,  may,  can,  or  ought  to  hold 
or  grant  the  same,  by  force  and  virtue  of  the  same  recited  Letters 
Patent;  and  subject  to  such  Quit  Rents,  Reservations  and  Restrictions, 
as  are  in  the  same  Letters  Pattent  mentioned,  reserved  and  limited,  of 
and  concerning  the  same  hereby  granted  Premises. 

And  They,  the  said  Duncan  Read,  Peter  Middleton,  Archibald 
Campbell,  Alexander  McNachten,  and  Neal  Gillaspie,  for  themselves, 
their  heirs,  executors  and  administrators,  Do  covenant,  grant  and  agree 
to  and  with  the  said  John  McNachton,  Heirs,  and  Assigns,  by  these 
presents,  that  for  and  notwithstanding  any  act,  matter  or  thing,  done, 
committed,  or  suffered  by  them,  or  either  of  them,  the  same  hereby 
granted  premises  are  free,  and  clear  from  all  inumbrances  whatsoever. 

In  Witness  whereof,  the  parties  to  these  presents  have  hereunto 
interchangeably  set  their  hands  and  seals,  the  day  and  year  first  above 
written. 

SeaPd  and   delivered  in                                      3fa&**&£2  & 

the  presence   of   us,  Jz             ^/c^6*^  ^^ 

Angus   Read.  ZrdH  S$ottf6folt  t& 

Alexander?  .    od^/ « 


The    above    is    a    printed    parchment.      On    the    back    of    the    same 

parchment  is  as  follows: 

1st    (In  the  hand   writing  apparently  of  Alexander   McNachten) 
"Know   all    men   by   these    presents,    that    I,    John    McNachten,    for 

and  in  consideration  of   One   Hundred  Pounds,  York  Money  and  for 

344 


THE  ARGYLE  DOCUMENTS 

divers  other  good  causes  and  considerations  me  thereunto  moving,  and 
acknowledging  the  receipt,  have  by  these  presents  assigned,  set  over, 
and  by  these  presents  do  assign,  set  over,  and  deliver  unto  Alexander 
McNachten,  my  father,  all  that  of  the  within  Indenture  or  Release 
for  the  Land  Right  therein  mentioned,  Isay  assigned,  set  over,  and 
delivered,  from  me  for  ever  to  him,  the  said  Alexander  McNachten, 
his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever,  as  may  be  seen  by  a  Deed  of  Sale  bearing 
even  date  with  these  presents.  As  witness  my  hand,  this  22  day  of 
April.    1765. 

his 
Signed  sealed  ans  delivered  John     X     McNaughten. 

in  the  presence  of  us.  mark 

Will:  Cairns 
Duncan  Gilchrist. 

2nd.  In  a  handsome  autograph,  a  deed  of  the  same  premises  from 
John  McNachten  to  Alexander  McNachten,  for  and  in  consideration 
of  the  sum  of  £100,  dated  Sept.  10th.  1766.  Sealed  and  delivered 
in  the  presence  of  Daniel  Johnson,  and  John  Mc  Kesson 

3rd.  "Be  it  remembered  that  heretofore,  that  is  to  say,  A.  D.  1782, 
or  thereabouts,  there  was  a  certain  instrument  of  conveyence  executed 
on  the  within  written  deed,  declairing  that  Alexander  McNauchten, 
Senior,  mentioned  in  the  deed  above,  for  the  consideration  of  the 
payment  of  sundry  debts  dues  and  demands  justly  due  and  owing  by 
the  said  Alexander  McNaughton  to  sundry  different  persons,  and  also 
in  consideration  of  extending  a  filial  duty  and  care  to  John  Mc- 
Naughton, the  son  of  the  said  Alexander  McNaughton,  for  divers 
other  good  causes  and  considerations  him  thereunto  moving,  did  remise, 
release  and  forever  quit  claim  all  his  right,  title,  interest,  possession, 
claim,  and  demand,  of,  in,  and  to  the  tract  of  land,  viz.  Lot  No.  32, 
it  being  one  of  the  Farm  Lots  of  the  town  of  Argyle  in  the  County 
of  Washington  and  the  State  of  New  York,  to  Alexander  McNaughton 
junior,  and  Archibald  McNaughton,  Grandsons  of  the  said  Alexander 
McNaughton,  senior,  and  sons  of  the  said  John  McNaughton,  to 
have  and  to  hold  the  said  lot  or  tract  of  land  and  premises  above 
mentioned,  unto  the  said  Alexander  McNaughton,  junior  and  Archi- 
bald McNaughton,  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever  and  since  the  execu- 
tion of  the  said,  instrument,  it  appears  that  the  said  instrument  is 
partly  defaced,  obliterated,  and  worn  out,  and  in  order  to  substan- 
tiate, fulfil,  perpetuate  and  perfect  the  agreement,  intention,  design 
and  meaning  of  the  said  parties,  John  McKnight  of  the  said  town 
of  Argyle  and  William  Robertson  of  the  same  place,  two  of  the  sub- 
scribing witnesses  of  the  original  instrument  of  conveyance  mentioned 
to  which  this  alludes,  personally  appeared  before  me  Ebenezer  Russell, 
Esq.  first  judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the  County  of 
Washington,  and  being  duly  sworn,  depose  and  declare,  that  they  saw 

345 


APPENDIX 

Alexander  McNaughton  senior,  mentioned  in  this  memorandum 
Execute  the  instrument  herein  alluded  to  as  his  free  and  voluntary 
act  and  deed  for  the  purposes  therein  and  herein  mentioned,  to  the 
said  Alexander  McNaughton,  junior,  and  Archibald  McNaughton, 
as  his  free  and  voluntary  act  and  deed  for  the  uses  and  purposes  men- 
tioned, that  they  severally  signed  and  subscribed  their  names  as  wit- 
nesses to  the  execution  of  the  same  in  the  presence  of  each  other,  and 
having  examined  the  same,  this  8th.  day  of  July  1793,  do  allow  it  to 
be  recorded.  (signed)  Ebenezer  Russell. 

4th.  A  quitclaim  deed,  from  Archibald  McNaughton  to  Alexander 
McNaughton,  dated  January  8th.  1818,  recorded  in  Libro  N.  of 
Deeds,   page   64. 

These  McNaughton  papers  were  copied  November  4th.  1847,  from 
the  original  documents,  then  in  the  possession  of  Samuel  Dobbin,  who 
at  that  date  was  the  owner  of  lot  No.  32.  He  married  Anna  (4) 
McNaughton  (Alexander  3,  John  2  Alexander  1.  The  latter  was 
the  original  grantee  of  lot   32   of  the  Algyle  patent.) 

THE  TURNER  PATENT 


August  7,  1764,  there  was  granted  by  the  Crown  to  Alexander  Turner 
and  twenty-four  other  citizens  of  Pelham,  Mass.,  25,000  acres  in  what 
was  later  the  town  of  Salem,  Washington  County,  New  York.  A  list  of 
the  grantees  furnished  by  the  New  York  State  Library  follows: 
Alexander  Turner 


James  Turner 
Thomas  Johnson 
Matthew  Bolton 
John  McCreles 
John  Crawford 
John  Lucore 
Robert  Hamilton 
Charles  Kidd 


Hugh  Bolton 
James  Lukes 
George  Thompson 
Jonathan  Marsh 
William  Crossett 
Alexander  Turner,  Jr. 
Joseph  Rugg 
Thomas  White 


Benjamin  South  wick 
Daniel  Ballard 
Samuel  Southwick 
Daniel  McCollem 
Joshua  Conkey 
William  Edgar 
William  Conkey 
Adam  Clark  Grey 


346 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY 
FAMILIES 

The  McNaughton  Family 

The  McNaughton  family  is  connected  by  blood  and  marriage  with 
so  many  of  the  families  of  the  Somonauk  Church,  and  the  history  of 
the  American  head  of  this  house  is  so  woven  into  the  history  of  the 
Argyle  Patent  that,  although  the  family  remained  in  Washington 
County,  New  York,  their  lineage  is  indispensable  to  this  volume. 
The  following  account  of  the  family  is  mainly  from  a  series  of  articles 
written  by  the  Honorable  James  Gibson  and  published  in  The  Salem 
Review  Press  in    1887. 

"The  history  of  this  family  shows  the  great  antiquity  of  its  origin, 
and  in  many  particulars  is  exceedingly  romantic. 

"It  originated  in  Argyllshire,  Scotland,  and  its  principal  seats  have 
been  located  in  the  highlands  of  that  section,  and  from  thence  immi- 
grated all  the  early  settlers  of  the  name  who  came  to  this  part  of 
America.  When  we  consider  the  wonderful  tenacity  with  which  the 
Highlander  holds  fast  to  the  names  used  in  the  family  and  find  there 
is  no  ancient  family  of  McNaughtons  in  this  section  that  has  not 
among  its  children  the  names  of  Alexander,  John,  Malcolm,  Donald, 
Daniel  or  Duncan,  we  should  expect  to  find  the  same  names  among 
their  ancestors  in  Argyllshire.  Accordingly,  turning  to  the  pages  of 
history  of  the  Scottish  clans:  The  Necthan's,  as  the  name  was  called 
by  the  Keltic  race,  existed  and  were  powerful  long  before  the  intro- 
duction of  surnames  among  them.  The  heads  of  this  clan  were  for 
ages  Thanes  of  Loch  Tay,  and  possessed  all  the  country  between  the 
South  side  of  Loch  Fyne  and  Lochawe.  (Buchanan's  History  of  the 
Origin  of  the  Clans,  p.  84.)  cLater  Donald  McNaughton,  of  Argyll- 
shire, nearly  connected  with  the  McDougalls  of  Lorn  joined  his  clan 
with  that  of  the  former  against  Robert  the  Bruce  in  the  great  battle 
of  Dalre,  A.  D.  1306.  His  son  and  successor,  Duncan,  was  a  loyal 
subject  of  King  David  II,  who  as  a  reward  for  his  fidelity  conferred 
on  his  son  Alexander  lands  in  the  island  of  Lewis  which  the  clans 
long  held,  and  the  ruins  of  their  castle  on  that  island  are  still  pointed 
out.'      (Anderson's  Scottish  Nation?) 

"Donald,  a  younger  son  of  the  family,  was,  in  1436,  elected  Bishop 
of  Dunkeld.  Alexander,  of  that  ilk,  who  lived  in  the  beginning  of 
the  16th  century  was  knighted  by  James  IV,  whom  he  accompanied 
to  Flodden  and  in  that  disastrous  battle  lost  his  life.      His  son  John 

347 


APPENDIX 

was  succeeded  by  his  second  son  Malcolm  who  died  near  the  end  of 
the  reign  of  James  VI,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  eldest  son  Alexander. 
John,  the  latter's  grandson  was  with  his  clan  under  Claverhouse,  at 
the  battle  of  Killiecrankie,  and  largely  contributed  to  its  favorable 
result. 

"It  is  thus  seen  that  few  families  in  Washington  county  can  trace 
a  more  ancient  lineage  than  the  McNaughtons,  as  it  can  readily  be 
followed  back  for  more  than  eight  hundred  years.   .   .  . 

"Alexander  McNaughton  was  the  first  settler  of  the  name  in  this 
county,  which  he  always  wrote  Alexander  M'Nacthen — this  is  "Alex- 
ander, the  Son  of  Nacthen,'  that  being  the  family  name  of  the  race, 
traced  back,  as  was  done  in  the  opening  section  of  this  sketch,  for 
more  than  eight  hundred  years.  He  was  born  in  Argyllshire,  in  Isla, 
the  most  southern  island  of  the  Hebrides  and  immigrated  in  the  first 
company  brought  over  by  Laughlin  Campbell,  landing  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  in  July,  1738.  He  brought  with  him  his  wife  [Mary 
McDonald]  and  children  John,  Moses,  Jeannett  and  Eleanor.  Not 
obtaining  the  promised  grant  of  lands  on  which  to  settle  in  this 
county,  he  and  family,  with  many  others  of  his  associate  colonists, 
settled  at  [Tappan]  in  Orange  county,  and  there  remained  till  his  re- 
moval in  1765  to  the  Argyle  patent. 

"Alexander  McNaughton  left  a  brother  Duncan  in  Scotland,  who 
had  married  Margaret,  a  sister  of  Donald  Fisher,  who  had  become 
the  owner  of  some  of  the  military  patents  located  in  Pawlet  and 
Hebron  and  perhaps  on  his  invitation  she  came  to  America,  her  hus- 
band having  died  in  Scotland,  bringing  with  her  all  the  children  she 
had,  except  Malcolm,  who  had  come  before,  and  was  with  his  uncle 
Alexander  on  the  Argyle  patent  or  subsequently  came  there  with  him. 

"In  the  grant  of  the  Argyle  patent  as  finally  made  in  1764,  a 
trust  was  created  for  the  benefit  of  all  of  the  settlers  who  came  to 
this  country  in  the  three  companies  brought  over  by  Laughlin  Camp- 
bell in  173  8,  1739  and  1740,  of  the  descendants  of  such  of  them  as 
had  died,  or  those  of  their  families  surviving.  In  this  trust  Alexander 
McNaughton  was  the  presiding  trustee  and  the  affairs  and  manage- 
ment of  the  trust  were  largely  under  his  direction.  In  order  to  pro- 
vide for  the  expenses  of  the  surveying  and  allottment  of  the  lands,  an 
assessment  was  made  according  to  the  number  of  acres  allotted,  and 
on  receiving  his  deed  the  grantee  would  pay  his  share  of  the  expenses. 
But  as  some  of  the  parties  or  immigrants  entitled  to  shares  never 
came  forward  to  receive  their  deeds  and  pay  their  portion  of  the 
expenses,  all  such  shares  were  sold  and  conveyances  made  to  the  pur- 
chasers. In  this  way  persons  not  of  the  original  immigrants,  became 
owners  of  shares  in  the  Argyle  patent.  And  indeed  there  were  cases 
where  the  conveyance  was  made,  and  the  expenses  paid,  but  the  grantee 
never  claimed  or  occupied  the  lands  and  those  who  did  actually  occupy, 
had  possession  without  any  title. 

348 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY  FAMILIES 

"In  this  connection  an  explanation  may  be  made  of  how  the  patent 
received  the  name  of  Argyle.  The  common  statement  that  it  was 
originally  granted  to  the  Duke  of  Argyle  and  that  he  parcelled  it  out 
among  his  clan,  is  withiut  the  slightest  foundation.  The  Duke  of 
Argyle  had  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  the  grant  of  the  patent,  or 
with  its  allottment  or  settlement.  The  whole  subject  is  matter  of 
history  and  it  is  difficult  to  see  how  such  a  story  could  have  originated. 
The  learned  and  distinguished  Dr.  Asa  Fitch,  now  deceased,  exploded 
this  fable  more  than  forty  years  ago.  (See  Fitch's  History  of  Wash- 
ington County y  New  York,  Section  78.) 

"Laughlin  Campbell,  a  native  of  Isla,  which  forms  part  of  Argyll- 
shire, in  Scotland,  had  received  encouragement  from  the  Provincial 
authorities  of  New  York,  that  if  he  would  procure  the  immigration 
to  the  province  of  a  number  of  families  from  Scotland,  those  brought 
over  by  him  should  receive  a  grant  of  lands  free  of  expense  sufficient 
to  enable  them  to  obtain  a  support.  The  object  of  the  government 
of  New  York,  in  this  matter,  was  to  procure  the  settlement  of  that 
portion  of  this  county  lying  south  of  what  is  now  Whitehall,  and  on 
the  borders  of  Wood  creek,  and  form  a  barrier  against  French  and 
Indian  invasion  from  Canada  by  way  of  Lake  Champlain.  In  pur- 
suance of  this  encouragement,  Campbell  procured  the  immigration  in 
1738,  of  a  colony  from  Argyllshire  consisting  of  3  3  families  and  49 
single  persons,  making  in  all  177  persons.  In  1739,  he  in  like  manner, 
procured  an  immigration  of  42  families  and  24  single  persons,  making 
in  all  193  persons.  And  in  1740,  he  obtained  15  families  and  46 
single  persons  in  addition,  making  together  100  persons.  The  immi- 
gration having  been  obtained,  all  solicitude  on  the  part  of  the  pro- 
vincial authorities  to  fulfill  the  promises  made  to  Campbell  in  their, 
behalf,  wholly  ceased,  and  no  grant  of  lands  for  their  settlement  was 
made  and  they  were  left  to  take  care  of  themselves  as  best  thy  could. 
"The  colonists  thus  introduced,  suffered  great  hardships  for  many 
years,  and  this  seems  to  have  finally  shamed  those  having  control  to 
make  the  grant  of  lands  as  originally  promised.  In  the  meantime, 
the  lands  about  Whitehall  and  Wood  Creek  had  been  granted  to  others, 
and  were  included  in  the  Skenesborough  and  Artillery  patents,  and 
could  not,  therefore,  be  granted  to  the  Scotch  settlers.  The  lands  in 
the  Argyle  patent  were  therefore  granted  in  their  place.  Thus,  after 
the  lapse  of  over  twenty  years,  the  settlers,  or  their  descendants,  who 
came  over  under  the  offers  made  to  Laughlin  Campbell,  received  a 
grant  of  those  lands  in  part  fulfillment  of  the  original  promises  made 
to  him.  This  grant  was  made  by  the  Governor  and  Council  of  the 
Province  of  New  York,  by  patent  to  Alexander  McNaughton  and 
others,  in  trust,  to  be  allotted  among  those  settlers  and  their  descend- 
ants. The  patent  was  issued  in  the  usual  form  of  such  grants  and  in 
the  same  form  and  manner  as  Skenesborough  and  other  patents  located 
in  this  section  were  issued. 


349 


APPENDIX 

"This  much  for  the  story  of  the  Duke  of  Argyle  granting  or  re- 
ceiving- a  grant  of  the  patent.  The  name  of  Argyle  was  given 
because   the  settlers  were   all   from   the   Shire   of   Argyle   in   Scotland. 

"Alexander  McNaughton  settled  on  that  portion  of  the  patent  which 
now  lies  in  the  town  of  Greenwich,  and  on  the  farm  which  was 
long  after  occupied  by  Deacon  Samuel  Dobbin  as  a  homestead.  Here 
he  built  a  common  log  house  in  1764,  and  a  few  years  after  another 
of  squared  logs.  He  was  appointed  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  was 
the  first  one  appointed  on  the  Argyle  patent  to  that  office. 

"It  was  while  acting  as  such  justice  that  he  was  summoned  to  New 
Perth,  as  Salem  was  then  called,  to  enforce  the  law  against  Ethan 
Allen  and  his  ruffianly  associates,  who  had  by  force  of  arms  raided 
the  lands  granted  to  Charles  Hutchan,  Donald  Campbell  and  others 
in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  present  town  of  Salem  and  had  torn  off 
the  roofs  from  their  log  houses,  and  by  threats  compelled  the  occu- 
pants to  leave  the  premises." 

The  fore  going  petitions  and  memorials  that  resulted  in  the  grant- 
ing of  the  Argyle  Patent  have  made  plain  vhe  large  credit  that  is  due 
Alexander  McNaughton  for  his  sagacity  in  acting  for  the  colonists 
and  for  his  subsequent  administration  of  the  trust  created  for  the 
benefit  of  the  settlers  brought  by  Laughlin  Campbell,  in  which  trust 
he  was  the  presiding  trustee  and  principal  administrator. 

ALEXANDER  (l)  McNAUGHTON,  one  of  the  five  original  trus- 
tees of  the  Argyle  Patent,  was  born  in  the  Isle  of  Islay,  Scotland, 
about  1693}  died  in  the  home  of  his  son-in-law,  Hon.  Edward  Savage, 
in  Salem,  New  York,  in  1 784 j  married  in  Argyleshire,  Scotland,  about 
1725,  Mary  McDonald,  born  there  in  1690}  died  in  the  home  of 
Duncan  Taylor,  a  relative,  where  the  family  had  tarried  on  their  way 
home  from   Burgoyne's  camp. 

Alexander  McNaughton,  with  his  wife  and  their  four  elder  chil- 
dren, came  with  the  first  of  Captain  Lauchlan  Campbell's  Highland 
Scotch  colonists.  They  left  Scotland  in  July  173  8  and  landed  in 
New  York  September  22.  Settling  first  on  the  Kakiate  Patent — the 
name  of  a  patent,  not  the  name  of  a  town  or  township — they  later 
removed  to  Tappan  in  Orange  (now  Rockland)  County,  New  York, 
where  they  resided  when  the  Argyle  Patent  was  granted  in  1764. 
The  next  year  this  family  and  the  Livingston  family  settled  on  the 
Argyle  Patent. 
Children : 

i.  John  (2)  born  on  the  island  of  Islay  about   1726}  died  before 
1800,  in  the  McNaughton  homestead   in  Greenwich,  Wash- 
ington   County,    N.    Y. }    married    about     1752,    Margaret, 
daughter  of  Duncan  and  Mary  (Gillis)    Taylor  of  Argyle. 
Children : 

Alexander    (3). 
Archibald. 

350 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY  FAMILIES 

Mary,  married  James  Mains. 

Robert. 

Daniel. 

Eleanor,    married    Col.    John    McCrea,    a    brother    of    Jane 

McCrea. 
Margaret,  married   David   McKnight. 
ii.  Moses,   died   aged   about   twenty-one   years   in   Orange    County, 
N.  Y.     He  was  the  schoolmaster  in  the  family  and  taught 
the  other  children,  under  the  supervision  of  his  mother, 
iii.  Janet,  married  Archibald  Brown  and  died  in  Argyle  June  22, 
1770.      Her    remains    were    the    first    interred    in    the    old 
Argyle  cemetery,   the  land   occupied  by  the  cemetery  being 
a  part  of  her  husband's  farm.     They  had  no  children  but 
had   taken  her  niece  Janet    (Jane)    (3)    Livingston   to  live 
with  them,  who  was  three  years  of  age  at  her  aunt's  death, 
iv.  Eleanor,   born   May   5,    1735,   in   the    Island   of   Islay;    died   in 
the    home    of    her    daughter,    Mrs.    James    Shaw,    in    East 
Greenwich,    N.    Y.,    Mar.    7,    1817;    married    in    Tappan, 
N.    Y.,    Nov.    23,    1756,    Archibald    (l)    Livingston,    later 
owner   of   Lot  No.    66   in   the   Argyle   Patent,   N.    Y.      See 
page  352.) 
v.  Mary,  born  in  Orange,  N.  Y.,  Apr.  24,    1742;   died  in  Salem, 
N.   Y.,   Feb.    23,    1834;    married   in   Salem,   Dec.    31,    1767, 
Hon.  Edward  Savage.     (See  page  352.) 
A  half  mile  south  of  the  village  of  Argyle,  New  York,  is  situated  the 
old  cemetery  where  lie  the  unmarked  graves  of  some  of  the  earliest  of 
the  colonists.    In  memory  of  these  pioneers  a  bronze  tablet  was  erected 
here  by  James  A.  and  Henry  J.  Patten,  which  was  dedicated  in  June, 
1923.     The  inscription  reads: 

In  this  cemetery  are  interred  the  mortal  remains  of 

mary  Mcdonald,  wife  of  Alexander  McNaughton. 

Born  in  Argyleshire,  Scotland,  in  1690.    Died  in  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  in  1777. 
JANET  McNAUGHTON,  her  daughter.     Wife  of  Archibald  Brown. 
Died  in  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  June  22,  1770. 

MARY  LIVINGSTON  ROBERTSON,  her  granddaughter. 

WILLIAM  PATTEN.  Born  near  Stonebridge,  Ireland,  November 
5,  1752.     Died  in  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  December  12,  1841. 

MARTHA  NESBITT,  his  wife.  Born  in  Kilmore,  Ireland,  1752. 
Died  in  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  March  2,  1817. 

The  land  occupied  by  this  cemetery  was  formerly  the  homestead  of 
Archibald  Brown  and  the  remains  of  his  wife  were  the  first  interred  in 
the  cemetery.  

Alexander  McNaughton  was  born  in  Argyleshire,  Scotland,  about 
1692.     Died  in  Salem,  N.  Y.,  in   1784.     His  remains  were  interred  in 

351 


APPENDIX 

the  McNaughton  burial  ground  on  his  own  land,  lot  32  of  the  Argyle 
patent. 

Eleanor  McNaughton,  his  daughter,  wife  of  Archibald  Livingston, 
was  born  in  the  Isle  of  Islay,  Scotland,  May  5,  1735.  Died  in  East 
Greenwich,  N.  Y.,  March  7,  1817. 

Archibald  Livingston,  her  husband,  was  born  in  Argyleshire,  Scotland, 
in  1730.    Died  near  East  Greenwich,  N.  Y.,  September  2,  1792. 

Mary  Livingston,  their  daughter,  was  born  in  Tappan,  New  York, 
September  26,  1757.     Died  in  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  August  7,  1793. 

William  Robertson,  her  husband,  was  born  in  Peterhead,  Scotland, 
January  19,  1752.    Died  in  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  February  15,  1825. 

Mary  Robertson,  their  daughter,  was  born  in  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  August 
7,  1793.  Died  near  Sandwich,  111.,  April  6,  1890.  James  Patten,  her 
husband,  was  born  near  Stonebridge,  Ireland,  July  4,  1793.  Died  in 
Salem,  N.  Y.,  December  21,  1827.  Son  of  William  Patten  and  Martha 
Nesbitt. 


The  Livingston  Family 

ARCHIBALD  (l)  LIVINGSTON  born  in  Argyleshire,  Scotland,  in 
1730,  died  in  his  home  in  Argyle,  New  York,  Sept.  2,  1792.  With 
his  parents  he  went  to  the  north  of  Ireland  in  1744,  came  to  America 
in  1751,  settled  among  the  Highland  Scotch  in  Orange  County,  N.  Y., 
removing  to  Washington  County  in  1765.  He  married  at  Tappan, 
N.  Y.,  Nov.  23,  1756,  Eleanor  (2)  a  daughter  of  Alexander  McNaugh- 
ton, born  May  5,  17  35,  in  the  Island  of  Islay.  Archibald  Livingston 
ibecame  the  owner  of  Lot  No.  66  in  the  Argyle  Patent. 

Children: 

i.  Mary  (2),  born  Sept.  26,  1757}  died  in  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  Aug. 
7,  1793;  married  Sept.  24,  1775,  William  (3)  Robertson. 
(See  page  227.) 
ii,  Margaret,  born  May  30,  1 759  5  died  in  Argyle  Dec.  7,  18  39; 
married  about  1783,  John  Taylor  born  1748;  died  Apr. 
16,  1813;  son  of  Duncan  and  Mary  (Gillis)  Taylor,  of 
Argyle. 
iii.  Janet  (Jane),  born  Feb.  2,  1767;  died  in  Cambridge,  N.  Y., 
Feb.  20,  1853;  married  first,  in  Argyle,  Aug.  21,  1800, 
James  Shaw;  born  in  the  parish  of  Kilmadock,  Perthshire, 
Scotland,  in  1768;  died  near  East  Greenwich,  N.  Y.,  Nov. 
24,  1822.  Son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Thompson)  Shaw. 
Mrs.  Shaw  married  second,  in  East  Greenwich,  N.  Y., 
May  16,  1826,  William  Stevenson,  born  in  the  parish  of 
Steinkirk,  Galloway,  Scotland,  Feb.  15,  1772;  died  in  Coila, 
Washington   County,   N.   Y.,  July   8,    1844. 

352 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY  FAMILIES 

iv.  Hon.    Alexander,   born    June    8,    1769}    died    Oct.    23,    1863; 
married,    1806,  Elizabeth   (2)    McDougall;   born  in  Argyle 
(now  Greenwich)    in    1787;   died  on  the  Livingston  home- 
stead,  Lot.   No.    66   of  the   Argyle  Patent,   Feb.    28,    1853. 
She    was   a   daughter    of    William    and    Sarah    (Gilleland) 
McDougall.    William  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution, 
v.  Moses,  born  Mar.  2,  1772;  died  Aug.  24,  1793. 
vi.  Marianne,    born    June    29,    1774;    died    near    East    Greenwich, 
N.  Y.,  Feb.   12,  1842;  married  in  the  home  of  her  father, 
Apr.  7,   1801,  Alexander  Shaw,  born  in   1764,  son  of  John 
and  Margaret  (Thompson)  Shaw, 
vii.  Eleanor,   born   in   Argyle,   N.   Y.,   Aug.    10,    1777;    died  near 
East   Greenwich,   N.    Y.,   Apr.    24,    1855;    married   in    the 
home  of  her  father,  Aug.  6,  1798,  William  (2)  McDougall, 
Jr.,   born   in   New   York   City   Sept.    23,    1770;    died    near 
East  Greenwich,   N.   Y.,   June    17,    1819,   son   of   William 
(1)    and   Sarah    (Gilleland)    McDougall. 

Mrs.  Archibald   Livingston    (Eleanor    (2)    McNaughton) 
told  her  granddaughter,  Mrs.  James  (4)   Patten,  who  spent 
the  first  twenty-four  years  of  her  life  with  her  grandmother, 
that  nearly  all  of  the  first  Highland  Scotch  settlers  on  the 
Argyle  Patent  were  related  either  by  blood  or  by  marriage. 
Mrs.  Livingston  also  said  that  there  were  Campbells  among 
the    Argyle    colonists    who    were    related    to    the    Duke    of 
Argyle.     Being   ten   years   of   age   at  the   time    of   the   Re- 
bellion of    1745   she  remembered  it  distinctly  and  narrated 
to  her  descendants  many  tales  of  Bonny  Prince  Charley. 
The  torch  of  tradition  lighted  by  Eleanor  Livingston  and  handed  on  . 
by  Mrs.  Patten  kindled  in   her  granddaughter,  Jennie  M.  Patten,  the 
interest  that  culminated  in  the  church  history. 

The  Savage  Family 

The  Savage  family  is  of  French  origin.  They  were  driven  from 
France  by  the  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes  in  1685.  They  settled 
for  a  time  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  members  of  the  family  intermarrying 
with  persons  of  Scottish  descent.  A  portion  of  the  family  came  to 
America  in  1716  and  settled  in  Massachusetts. 

JOHN  (l)  SAVAGE,  born  in  1706,  was  appointed  captain  of  a  com- 
pany of  volunteers  in  1758  and  served  under  General  Bradstreet  in 
his  expedition  against  Fort  Frontenac  and  under  General  Abercrombie 
in  the  assault  of  Fort  Ticonderoga.  He  moved  to  Salem  in  1767; 
married  Eleanor  Hamilton  and  died  there  in   1792,  aged  85. 

EDWARD  (2)  SAVAGE,  a  son  of  John,  born  in  Rutland,  Mass., 
January  9,    1745,  came  to  Salem  with  the  family  in    1767.     He  was 

353 


APPENDIX 

the  first  sheriff  of  the  county  after  the  Revolutionary  War;  also  surro- 
gate. A  member  of  the  state  legislature  for  twenty-one  years,  he  was 
three  times  elected  a  member  of  the  council  of  appointment.  He  took 
part  in  the  battle  of  Plattsburg  in  1814,  and  died  October  13,  1833, 
aged  87.  Married  December  31,  1767,  Mary  (2)  a  daughter  of 
Alexander  McNaughton,  born  in  Orange  County,  New  York,  April 
24,  1742;  died  in  Salem,  New  York,  February  23,  1834. 
Children: 

i.  Alexander   (3),  died  in  infancy. 

ii.  Jane,  born  July  6,    1777;   died  Jan.   27,    1802;   married,    1800, 
Rev.    Joseph    Sweetman.      Child:    Jane    Sweetman,    married 
Rev.  Nathaniel  Bacon,  of  Niles,  Mich, 
iii.  John,  born  Feb.  22,  1779. 
iv.  Mary,  born  Nov.  22,  1782;  died  Apr.  29,  1784. 

JOHN  (3)  SAVAGE,  LL.D.,  born  February  22,  1779,  in  Salem,  New 
York;  died  in  Utica,  Oct.  19,  1863;  married,  Feb.  27,  1810,  Esther, 
daughter  of  Gen.  Timothy  Newell,  who  died  Mar.  14,  1811.  Was  grad- 
uated from  Union  College  in  1799,  receiving  first  honors,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar.  Appointed  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  in 
1822,  he  held  that  office  until  1836,  when  he  resigned.  He  married 
second,  Ruth  Wheeler,  of  Lanesboro,  Mass.,  Nov.  8,  1816. 

Children: 

i.  Mary  Ann  (4),  born  Apr.  1,  1819;  died  May  18,  1846;  married 

Nov.  8,  18  37,  Hon.  Ward  Hunt. 
ii.  Laura  Wheeler,  born  Oct.  28,  1822;  died  March  2,  1905. 

The  Gillaspie  Family 

NEAL    (l)    GILLASPIE,   married   Mary   Mcllpheder   and    with   two 
oldest  sons  came  with  Captain  Lachlin  Campbell  in    1739.     Neal  Gil- 
laspie was  one  of  the  original  five  trustees  of  the  Argyle  patent  and 
a  relative  of  the   McNaughtons. 
Children: 

i.  Gilbert  (2). 
ii.  Angus. 

iii.  Daniel,  married  and  had  a  son  Gilbert, 
iv.  Catharine,  married  William   Goodson. 
v.  Neil,  married  Mary  Van  Winkle. 
Children: 

i.  Catharine  (3),  married  John  Winne. 
ii.  Mary,   married   Casparus   Bain, 
iii.  Eleanor,  married  George  Ferguson, 
iv.  Janet,  died  unmarried, 
v.  Nancy,  died  unmarried. 

354 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY  FAMILIES 

vi.  Margaret,  died  unmarried, 
vii.  Neil, 
viii.  John, 
ix.  Jacob,  married  Miss  Raney. 
x.  Daniel,  married  at  Massena  Springs,  N.  Y. 

The  will  of  Neal  Gillaspie  of  the  Precinct  of  Wallkill,  Ulster 
County,  New  York,  yeoman,  date  March  4,  1769,  probated  March  31, 
1769." 

I  Neal  Gillaspie  of  the  Precinct  of  Wall-kill  Ulster  County,  yeoman, 
being  sick     .     .     . 

Whereas  I  was  proprietor  in  a  patent  of  land  called  the  Scotch  patent 
or  Argyle  patent  and  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  same  whereof  on  the 
said  patent,  I  was  obliged  with  the  other  trustees  to  convey  my  part 
of  said  patent  to  some  one  it  Trust.  I  confided  to  my  son  Neal 
Gillaspie  and  he  is  now  vested  with  the  deed,  dated  Jan.  15,  1765,  and 
executed  by  myself,  Duncan  Reed,  Peter  Middleton  Arch.  Campbell 
and  Alexander  McNachten,  trustees  in  said  patent,   of  453   acres. 

I  will  that  my  son  Neal  shall  make  over  by  deed  to  my  son  Daniel 
100  acres.  To  my  Wife  100  acres.  To  my  Daughter  Cachy  or 
(Cattie)    wife   of  William   Goodson    (or   Goodjen)     100    acres. 

And  the  lot  of  45  acres  laid  out  for  a  town  lot  in  said  patent,  my 
son  Neal  shall  by  deed  of  trust  make  over  to  someone  for  my  Grandson 
Gilbert  son  of  Daniel.  If  my  son  Neal  does  this  then  I  leave  him  his 
share  of  my  property  as  hereafter  mentioned  (l)  My  farm  where  I 
now  Dwell  with  all  the  utensils  to  be  sold  by  my  executors  and  all 
debts  to  be  paid  and  also  the  debts  of  my  son  Daniel.  From  the  re- 
mainder, one  third  to  be  paid  to  my  wife  (and  she  is  to  pay  20  to 
my  daughter  Cashy  wife  of  William  Goodson,)  one  third  to  my  son 
Daniel  and  one  third  to  my  son  Neal. 

I  leave  to  my  sons  Daniel  and  Neal  and  my  daughter  Cashy  certain 
cattle.     I  leave  to  my  wife  and  children  each  their  wearing  apparel. 

Whereas  I  perchased  lot  62  in  said  Scotch  patent  of  Mary  Beatoy 
for  60  and  whereas  my  kinsman,  Alexander  Campbell  came  to  this 
country  upon  encouragement  given  him  by  me,  I  leave  him  all  of  said 
lot  of  300  acres  and  he  is  to  pay  the  60  with  interest  in  Seven  years. 

I  make  my  wife  and  my  good  friend  Alexander  Kidd  and  David 
Jager  Executors  and  my  trusted  friend  Cadwallader  Colden  Jr.  overseer. 

(  Thomas  Beatty. 

Witnesses  •<  Samuel    Haines. 

(  Archibald    McNeal. 

The  Clark  Family 

In  the  picturesque  cemetery  at  Cedar  Springs,  Abbeville,  South  Caro- 
lina, is  a  tomb  bearing  an  inscription  which,  though  unimposing  and  even 
inaccurate  in  some  particulars,  serves  to  call  the  attention  of  the  passerby 

355 


APPENDIX 

to  one  of  the  most  unusual  and  interesting  characters  on  the  pages  of 
church  history  in  America — the  clergyman,  physician,  financier  Thomas 
Clark.   The  inscription  reads  as  follows: 

TO  THE  MEMORY 
OF 

Rev.  Thomas  Clark,  D.D. 

who  was  born  in  ireland* 

Licensed  to  preach  April,  1748 

Labored  in  Ballibay  16  years 

Emigrated  to  New  York 

28th  July  1764 

After  laboring  there  many  years 

Came  to  Abbeville,  S.  C.  1786 

Where  he  labored  as  the  founder 

and  first  pastor  at  cedar  springs 

and  Long  Cane  until  his  death 

Dec.  26th.  1792 

A  member  of  the  Clark  family  contributes  the  inscription  on  the 
graves  of  Mrs.  Clark  and  their  infant  son,  who  were  buried  beside  the 
church  in  Cahans,  Ireland: 

Here  lies  the  corpse  of 

Elizabeth  Clark,  alias  Nesbitt 

Spouse  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Clark 

who  died  December  18,  1762 

Aged  32  years.    A  true  Christian 

Robert  Clark  who  died  July  18,  1862,  aged  6  years 

REV.  DR.  THOMAS  (l)  CLARK,  M.D.,  born  in  Galloway,  Scotland, 
about  1722}  died  in  Cedar  Springs,  South  Carolina,  December  26,  1792} 
married  in  Ireland  about  1752  Elizabeth  Nesbitt,  who  was  born  in  1730} 
died  December  18,  1762;  probably  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Nesbitt,**  of 
Drum-a-connor,  who  was  one  of  the  elders  who  signed  Dr.  Clark's  call 
to  become  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Cahans,  four  Irish  miles 
from  Ballibay,  in  County  Monaghan,  Ireland.  Robert,  her  brother, 
whose  wife  was  Nicolina  Montgomery,  went  security  in  the  sum  of 
£4000  when  Dr.  Clark  was  liberated  from  Monaghan  jail.  It  has 
been  stated  that  Dr.  Clark  was  a  graduate  of  Glasgow  University,  but 
the  Registrar  reports  that  no  record  can  be  found  of  a  degree  having 
been  conferred  upon  one  of  that  name  at  or  near  1748. 

Mrs.  Clark  died  two  years  before  the  Exodus,  but  her  sister  and 
brother  John  Nesbitt,  with  the  latter's  wife  Elizabeth,  emigrated  with 
Dr.  Clark's  colony  in  1764.  Miss  Nesbitt  died  in  Washington  County, 
New  York,  at  the  home  of  her  nephew,  the  Honorable  Ebenezer  Clark. 

♦Error.  **Dr.  R.  Nesbitt,  M.D.,  of  Sutton  in  Ashfield,  Notts,  England,  is  descended 
in  this  line  and  has  the  records  for  500  years. 

356 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY  FAMILIES 

Children  born  in  Cahans,  Ireland: 

i.  Ebenezer  (2),  born  July  4,  1753  5  died  in  Argyle,  New  York, 
Feb.  10,  1826  j  married  first  his  cousin  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  Nesbitt  above  mentioned;  married 
second  Mrs.  Margaret  McClaughry  Savage,  widow  of  James 
Savage,  of  Salem, 
ii.  Robert,  born  Dec.  22,  1755;  died  July  18,  1762,  in  Cahans. 
iii.  Elizabeth,  born  Oct.   10,   1758;  married  Maj.  James  Campbell, 

son  of  Duncan,  the  first  supervisor  of  Argyle. 
iv.  Benjamin,  whose  birth  occurred  between  1759  and  1762,  for 
which  period  the  church  records  have  been  destroyed,  was  a 
physician.  His  will,  probated  in  Abbeville,  South  Carolina, 
mentions,  besides  his  children,  his  brother  Ebenezer,  his  moth- 
er-in-law, Mrs.  Mary  Cochran,  and  James  Cochran,  the  two 
last  being  executors. 
Children: 

i.  Elizabeth  (3).  ii.  Jean  N. 

The  reader  will  be  glad  to  have  these  genealogical  gleanings  that  go 
so  far  afield  and  are  now  printed  for  the  first  time,  if  he  should  ever 
have  the  good  fortune  to  peruse  "The  Salem  Book"  account  of  this 
extraordinary  clergyman,  physician,  financier,  Dr.  Thomas  Clark,  the 
Leader  of  the  Exodus  of  the  Cahans,  beside  whose  prison  experiences 
the  vicissitudes  of  the  Vicar  of  Wakefield  seem  commonplace  indeed. 

No  less  picturesque,  though  less  harrowing  than  his  experiences  in 
Ireland,  are  his  adventures  as  the  first  pioneer  preacher  on  the  frontier 
between  Albany  and  the  Canadian  border,  for  a  large  volume  could  be 
compiled  dealing  with  his  explorations  in  eastern  New  York  in  search 
of  suitable  farmlands  for  his  "imported"  congregation  numbering  three 
hundred  souls,  of  his  determination  and  finesse  in  obtaining  favorable 
terms  of  tenure,  of  the  vigor  with  which  he  collected  the  rents  for  the 
owners  and  himself  carried  the  $1,500  on  horseback  to  their  agents  in 
New  York  City,  of  his  yeoman  service  in  the  erection  of  the  log  parson- 
age and  first  meeting  house  in  Salem.  It  is  pleasant  to  picture  his  con- 
gregation coming  many  miles  on  foot  and  on  horseback  through  the 
aisles  of  the  forest,  in  such  numbers  that  in  summer  services  had  to  be 
held  in  the  open  air  in  the  wooded  glen  of  the  nearby  spring,  the  pastor 
standing  under  a  small  open  tent,  his  Bible  and  Psalm  book  on  a  little 
table  before  him,  while  his  flock  were  seated  on  the  shelving  ledges  of 
rock  that  encircled  the  spring  like  an  amphitheatre. 

Dr.  Clark  married  many  of  the  ancestors  of  Somonauk  people,  among 
them  William  Robertson  and  Mary  Livingston.  He  and  his  son,  it  is 
said,  boarded  at  the  Livingston  home  at  one  time. 

While  the  first  search  for  lands  was  in  progress  land  speculators  from 
the  South  drew  away  a  few  of  Dr.  Clark's  emigrants  to  the  Abbeville 
District  of  South  Carolina,  and  the  pioneer  clergyman  literally  rode  the 

357 


APPENDIX 

circuit  between  these  widely  separated  branches  of  his  church  in  America. 
After  eighteen  years  of  service  in  Salem,  it  was  to  this  place  that  he  was 
called,  and  here  he  died  on  December  26,  1792,  a  true  Link  With  The 
Past,  his  last  act  being  the  inditing  of  an  affectionate  letter  to  his  former 
congregation  in  Ballibay  with  which  he  had  never  ceased  to  com- 
municate. 

A  leader  of  thought  in  the  old  world,  Thomas  Clark  was  a  pioneer 
of  civilization  in  the  new,  and  by  his  advanced  spiritual  ideals,  in- 
domitable courage,  enterprise  and  strong  personality  hastened  the  settle- 
ment of  a  large  area  in  Washington  County  and  through  the  descendants 
of  his  church  members  contributed  to  the  spiritual  heritage  of  the 
Church  at  Somonauk. 

The  following  is  from  Johnson's  History  of  Washington  County: 

"During  the  time  Dr.  Clark  remained  in  Salem,  the  amount  of  labor 
he  performed  is  simply  marvelous. 

"No  other  than  an  iron  constitution  could  have  borne  it.  Until  the 
arrival  of  Dr.  John  William  he  was  the  only  physician  in  the  place.  In 
addition  to  his  care  of  the  church  he  was  called  to  attend  the  sick;  in 
addition  to  this  he  regularly  visited  Hebron,  Argyle  and  Cambridge, 
preaching  and  preparing  the  way  for  the  organization  of  flourishing 
churches.  Like  Paul,  he  was  abundant  in  labors,  and  like  his,  his  labors 
were  crowned  with  success." 

TO  THE  PIONEERS  OF  THE  WEST 

Would  God  that  we,  their  children,  were  as  they! 

Great-souled,   brave-hearted   and   of    dauntless   will: 

Ready  to  dare,  responsive  to  the  still, 
Compelling  voice  that  called  them  night  and  day 
To  the  far  West  where  sleeping  greatness  lay 

Biding  her  time.  Would  God  we  knew  the  thrill 

That  exquisitely  tormented  them,  until 
They  stood  up  strong  and  resolute  to  obey. 

God,  make  us  like  them,  worthy  of  them ;  shake 
Our  souls  with  great  desires;  our  dull  eyes  set 

On  some  high  star  whose  splendid  light  shall  wake 
Us  from  our  dreams,  and  guide  us  from  this  fen 

Of  selfish  ease  won  by  our  fathers'  sweat. 
Oh,  lift  us  up — the  West  has  need  of  Men! 

Mrs.  Ella  Higginson. 


358 


INDEX 


Heavy   figures   indicate  family  history.     The  lists   of  church  members,   page 
252  ff.  and  of  the  Argyle  colonists,  page  297  ff.,  are  not  included  in  the  Index. 


Abbeville,  S.  C,  3,  335,  356,  357. 

Abolitionists,  264. 

Acker,  Katharine,  191. 

Alexander,  Lucy  Ann,  250;  Susan, 
250. 

Alford,  Mrs.,  portrait,  149. 

Allen,  Ethan,  350  ;  George,  253  ;  Mrs. 
Jane,  253  ;  John,  195. 

Ames,  Elizabeth  Bacon,  113. 

Anderson,  Mrs.  Ann  Brown,  146. 

Andrew,  Margaret,  108  ;  Samuel,  108. 

Andrus,  Anna,  218. 

Animal  magnetism,  269. 

Ann   (Ship),   212. 

Ardpatrick,  Scotland,  168. 

Argyle,  N.  Y.,  245 ;  cemetery,  351, 
352  ;  see  also  South  Argyle. 

Argyle  Patent  3  ;  documents,  211  ff . ; 
lots:  No.  Thirty-two,  108,  340; 
No.  Sixty-two,  355 ;  No.  Sixty-six, 
227,  351,  352;  map,  296;  name, 
349,  350. 

Argyle,  Duke  of,  349. 

Argyle  Presbytery,  N.  Y.,  1  ff.,  244. 

Armitage,  John,  182;  Rachel,  182. 

Armstrong,  Addison  (3),  81;  Anna 
(3)  81;  Beverly  A.  (6),  83  ;  Carl  B. 
(5),  83  ;  D.  Le  Roy  (4),  81 ;  David, 
elder,  244  ;  David,  of  Sandwich,  81  ; 
David  (1),  79;  David  (2),  80; 
David  James  (3),  81,  230;  Donald 
(6),  83.  Edyth  Mae  (4),  83.  Eliza- 
beth  (3),  80,  122;  George,  120; 
Gladys  F.  (5),  83;  Hannah  (3), 
82;  Henry  A.  (4),  81;  Jane  (2), 
89;  John  (2),  80,  82;  John  (3), 
80;  John  A.  (3),  81,  237;  John  J. 
(3)  82;  Mary,  81;  Mary  Ann  (3), 
80  ;  Millie  (Robertson), portrait  149  ; 
Myrl  (5),  83;  Robert  C.  (2),  80; 
Sarah  E.  (3),  82;  Shubael  T.  (3), 
81;  Dr.  Thomas  (2),  80,  81;  Wil- 
liam (2),  67,  72,  80,  188;  William 
Thomas  (3),  81;  William  W.  (4), 
81;  Winfred  J.    (4),  82. 

Arnold,  ,  283. 

Arnold,  Dr.  ,   246. 

Artillery   Patents,    349. 

Associate  Presbyterian  Church,  31, 
128,  247  ;  see  also  under  Somonauk. 

Associate  Reformed  Church,  31,  128, 
247  ;  see  also  under  Somonauk. 

Auchtermuchty,   Scotland,   84. 

Aurora  Branch  Railroad,   44,   205. 

Avery,   Mrs.   Laura,    253. 

Ayrshire,    Scotland,    207. 

Bacon,    Frances,    250;    Horace,  251; 

Rev.    Nathaniel,    354. 

Bain,    Casparus,    354;    Enoch,  210; 

Henry     Lant,     210 ;     James,  210 ; 

John    Firman,    209;    Robert,  210; 

William,  210. 


Ball,   Ida,    179. 

Ballard,   Daniel,    346. 

Ballibay,  Ireland,  3,   79,  356. 

Ballibay  Church,   358. 

Ballimony,  Ireland,  168. 

Ballou,    Sophonia   F.,    223. 

Baptisms,  First,   246. 

Barkeley,  Elizabeth,  225. 

Bartlett,   Moses,   148,    169. 

Bascom,  Robert  O.,  243. 

Beatoy,   Mary,   355. 

Beattie  family,   82. 

Beattie,  Jane  A.,  82 ;  John,  elder, 
244. 

Beatty,   Thomas,   355. 

Beaver,  William  H.,  247. 

Becker,  Hattie,  144. 

Beitel,  Jesse,  72. 

Belfrage,  see  Beveridge. 

Bell,  Jane,   178. 

Beman,  Daniel  H.,   250. 

Bennett,    Margaret   R.,    106. 

Benson,  Louise  A.,  112. 

Bernard,  Pearl,  166. 

Bert,   John   255. 

Beveridge  family,  83,  103  ;  crest,  84  ; 
weavers,  85;  Agnes  (3),  11,  92, 
221 ;  first  member,  24,  letters  to, 
258-68,  tablet,  74,  teacher,  35, 
temperance,  251  ;  see  also  Patten, 
Mrs.  Alexander  R. ;  Agnes  J.,  (4), 
102;  Albert  E.  (4),  100;  Hon.  Al- 
bert J.,  83,  86;  Alexander  (2),  90, 
98,  188,  244;  Alexander  W.  (4), 
100;  Alia  May  (4),  95;  Andrew, 
portrait,  149 ;  Mrs.  Andrew,  por- 
trait, 149;  Andrew  (1),  11,  71,  84, 
85,  89;  Andrew  (2),  90,  101,  224, 
portrait,  102 ;  Mrs.  Andrew  (Jane 
Martin),  101,  152,  portrait,  102; 
Andrew  (3,  Andrew  2),  101,  102, 
103,  portrait,  102;  Andrew  (3, 
Alexander  2),  98;  Andrew  D.  (5), 
103;  Rev.  Andrew  M.,  D.  D.,  (3), 
51,  921,  224,  266,  portrait  92,  Ann 
(2).  84,  87,  90,  250,  252;  Mrs.  Ann 
Hoy,  see  Beveridge,  Mrs.  George ; 
Archibald  (4),  100;  Belle  C.  (4), 
101;  Bertram  B.  (5)  103;  Bruce 
(5),  100;  Clifford  M.  (5),  103; 
Count,  83;  Daedda  (5),  96;  David 
(2),  90;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Irwin  see 
Beveridge,  Mrs.  Thomas  G. ;  George 
(2),  7  ff.,  90  ff.,  246,  charter  mem- 
ber, 22,  23,  Chicago,  9,  church  in 
home,  15,  church  organized,  22, 
leaves  Washington  Co.,  8,  log  cabin, 
frontispiece,  294,  new  house,  33, 
old  age,  222,  portrait,  vii,  returns 
to  Washington  Co.,  10,  tablet,  73, 
temperance,  251,  Underground  R.R., 
59,  weaver,  84,  90,  woolen  goods, 
10,  Mr3.  George   (Ann  Hoy),  7  ff., 


359 


INDEX 


16,  91,  264,  279,  charter  member, 
22,  23,  homesick,  12,  portrait,  vii, 
tablet,  73;  George  (4),  100;  Ger- 
trude B.  (4),  93;  Helen  (5),  100; 
Isabel  (3,  George  2),  92,  260, 
121,  portrait,  120,  149,  see  also 
French,  Mrs.  William;  Isabel  (3, 
Matthew  2),  189;  Isabella  (3,  An- 
drew 2),  101;  James  (2),  90; 
James  Henry  (4),  93;  James  Hoy 
(3),  11,  25,  38,  92,  93,  221,  247, 
250,  252,  portrait,  96,  149,  slav- 
ery, 64 ;  Beveridge,  Mrs.,  93,  por- 
trait, 96,  149;  James  M.  (4),  100; 
Beveridge,  Mrs.  Jane  Martin  see 
Beveridge,  Mrs.  Andrew ;  Janet 
Lourie,  86;  Jennet  (2),  87,  90; 
Jennett  (3),  92,  149,  portrait,  120, 
149,  see  also  Henry,  Mrs.  James ; 
John  (2),  90,  240,  244;  John  C., 
89,98,99, 175,  portrait,  149;  Bever- 
idge Mrs.  John  C.,  99,  175,  por- 
trait, 149  ;  Hon.  John  L.,  11,  64,  65, 
86,  92,  95  ff.,  came  west,  8,  Civil 
War  record,  90,  96,  governor,  98, 
law  practice,  98,  portrait,  96,  149, 
reminiscences,  12  ff.,  Senator,  98, 
224,  parents,  7  ;  Beveridge,  Mrs. 
John  L.,  95,  portrait,  149  ;  Kuhne 
(5),  95;  Lois  A.,  93;  Margaret, 
157  ;  Margaret,  see  Brown,  Mrs. 
Margaret  B.  ;  Margaret  (3),  101; 
Margaret  (4),  100;  Marion  (5), 
96;  Mary  (3),  92;  Matthew,  84  ff. ; 
Matthew  (2),  90,  189;  Max  Forest 
(4),  102;  Maxine  J.  (5),  103;  May 
(4),  100;  Merritt  Hoy,  4,  93,  175, 
176;  Philo  Judson  (4),  95,  portrait, 
149;  Phyllis  (5),  96;  Ralph  (5), 
100;  Ray  (5),  95;  Rea  (4),  100; 
Sarah  I.  (3),  101 ;  Thomas  (2),  90  ; 
Rev.  Thomas,  85  ;  Thomas  George 
(3),  11,  92,  138,  59,  church  clerk, 
50,  64,  member  252,  portrait  94, 
temperance,  280  ;  Mrs.  Thomas  G. 
(Elizabeth  Irwin),  92,  portrait  94, 
149,  159  ;  Bp.  William,  83  ;  William 
G.,   157. 

Bigham,    Mrs.    Julia    A.    T.,    232. 

Bishop,  Eliza,  209  ;  John,  209,  244  ; 
William,   209. 

Black,   Guy,   160. 

Black,   Wallace  J.,    176. 

Black  Hawk  War,  17. 

Blair  Athol,  Scotland,  228. 

Blair,  James,  40,  43  ;  Jean,  117  ; 
Captain   John,   117,    119. 

Blakeley,    Rachel,    208. 

Boies,    Henry    L.,    "History,"    50. 

Bolton,  Hugh,   346;  Matthew,  346. 

Boyd,  Albert  Nelson,  216;  Daniel 
Nelson  (2),  103,  chorister  35,  first 
member  24,  portrait  236,  tablet 
250;  Mrs.  Daniel  Nelson,  103,  252; 
Effie  E.,  (3),  104;  George  (1), 
103;  Jennette  (3),  104;  John  (2), 
50,   103,   104,    232   249,   252;  Mrs. 


John  (Mary  7  Stewart),  104; 
Mary,  262;  Thomas  N.   (3),  104. 

Boyle,   A.  J.,   71,  72. 

Bradford,   Rev.    John   Ewing,    190. 

Brant,  John,    (2),   196;  Martha,   196. 

Breeze,   August,    169. 

Brook,  Thomas,  246  ;  William,  246. 

Brown,  Ann,  146;  Archibald,  351; 
Margaret,  154,  portrait  134,  see 
also  Howison,  Mrs.  George ;  Mrs. 
Margaret  B.,  portrait  149  ;  Mary, 
147;  Rev.  N.  H.,  119;  Ralph,  por- 
trait 149;  Robert,  146,  159,  161, 
254. 

Bruce,    King  Robert,    161,    347. 

Buchanan,  Amanda,  223  ;  James,  223. 

Buckingham,    Charles   P.,   251. 

Buhler,   Harper,    137. 

Bull,  Rev.  Frederick  S.,  71,  72,  75; 
Jessie,  177. 

Bullions,  Rev.  Alexander,  D.D.,  128, 
210. 

Bullock,    Sarah,    253. 

Burchim,  Edwin,   21  ;   Jennet,   251. 

Burley,  Vt.,   182. 

Butler,  Harriet  A.,   102. 

Buttle,   Parish  of  Scotland,   182. 

Cahans,    Ireland,    243,    350. 

Cain,  John,  254;  Eliza,  256;  Eliza- 
beth, 254;  John,  254;  Mrs.  Mary, 
256. 

California   Gold   Rush,    40,    284. 

Campbell  family,  353  ;  Alexander, 
355;  Archibald,  344;  Catherine, 
115,  259,  262;  Donald,  350; 
Duncan,  357;  Maj.  James,  357; 
Mrs.  John,  252 ;  Capt.  Laughlin, 
2,  190,  326,  336,  349;  colonies, 
243  ff.,  296  ff.,  offered  land  for 
settlement,  2,  sons,  2. 

Camp   Douglas,   275. 

Carmichil,    Daniel,    297    ff. 

Carouthers,    Ethel,    177. 

Carpenter,  Augusta,  250;  Byron, 
251;  Henry,  250;  Roxanna,  351; 
Thaddeus,   143,    250;  Wallace,   250. 

Carr,  Lindsay,  44;  Lucretia,  80,  110; 
Mary,  80;  Robert,  80;  W.  Henry, 
80. 

Caven   Co.,   Ireland,    158. 

Cedar  Springs,   S.   C,   3,   355,   350. 

Cemetery,  24  6  ;  see  also  Oak  Ridge. 

Chalmers,  Robert,   88. 

Chamberlin,    Etta,    197. 

Charles  Stewart,  353. 

Charlotte    County,    N.    Y.,    244. 

Cheever,   Salina,    250. 

Chester  District,  S.  C,  202. 

Chicago,    hauling   from,    34;   ff. 

Chicago   &   Aurora   R.    R.    Co.,    45. 

Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  R.  R. 
Co.,   45. 

Chicago  Historical  Society,  tablet,   74. 

Childs,   Bertha,   196. 

Christie,    John,    169. 

Church  of  Scotland,   2. 

Clark,  Benjamin  (2),  357;  Ebenezer 
(2),    357;    Mrs.    Ebenezer    (Eliza- 


360 


INDEX 


beth  Nesbitt),   357;  Elizabeth    (2), 
357;    Elizabeth     (3),    357;    Eliza- 
beth     Nesbitt,      see      Clark,      Mrs. 
Thomas;     Francis,     251;    Hez.     S.f 
251;  I.  S.,  250;  James,  251;  Jean 
N.    (3),   357;   Lavinia,    250;  Mary, 
250;  Robert  (2),  356,  357;  Sophia, 
250;    Rev.    Thomas,    M.    D.,    3    ff., 
128,   188,    207,    212,    243,  356  ff. ; 
Mrs.    Thomas     (Elizabeth    Nesbitt), 
209,   356  ff. 
Claverhouse,   John   of,    348. 
Climate,  278,  282,   293. 
Clinton     Tp.,     DeKalb     County,     first 

white  child,   236. 
Cochran,     James,     357;     Mrs.     Mary, 

357. 
Coila,  N.  Y.,   86,   244,  353. 
Coila   (N.  Y.)   Associate  Church,  128. 
Coitsville,   O.,   104. 
Colden,   Hon.   Cadwallader,   304,   306; 

Cadwallader,   Jr. 
Coleman,     Adeline,      179 ;     Catherine, 

250;  Silas  D.,  251. 
Cole,  Abner,  107;  Andrew  J.,  72; 
Anna  (2),  106;  Chase,  106;  Clark 
G.  (2),  105;  Elliott  L.  (2),  106; 
Elizabeth  Selders,  107;  Hugh  Mof- 
fett,  106;  Isaac  Newton  (2),  105; 
Isabel,  81;  Laura  (2),  105;  Mar- 
cus D.  (2),  106;  Orrin  (2),  105; 
Robert,  portrait,  149;  Ruth,  106; 
Tobias  Britt  (1),  105  ff.,  252; 
Mrs.  Tobias  B.  (Anna  Cowdon), 
105,  252. 
Collins,   Jane,   232.    See  also  Stewart, 

Mrs.    Alexander  M. 
Comins,     Chauncey,     147;     Elizabeth, 

147. 
Corny n,  The  Red,  161. 
Conkey,    Joshua,    346;   William,    346. 
Cook,  Edward,  elder,  244  ;  Laura  Les- 
ley,    215;     Margaret,     172,     174; 
Thomas,    172. 
Coon,  Hiram  J.,  159;  James  H.,  253; 

Martin,    235. 
Corrett,  Margarette,   164. 
Cossayuna,    N.    Y.,    7,    212,    258 ;   see 

also  Lake. 
Coulter,   Alexander,   225. 
Council   Bluffs,    284. 
Covenanters,  231. 
Coventry,    Margaret,    204. 
Cowden.  Anna,  105,  141. 
Cox,   Wallace,    226. 
Crawford,   John,   346;  Margaret,   118. 
Cree,   Rev.   John,   184,   190. 
Cromwell,    Jane,    93. 
Crossett,    William,    346. 
Cruickshank,  Nancy,  188. 
Crump,  Emma,  145. 
Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  161. 
Cummings,     Ann,     90;     Isabell,     90; 
James,   90,  284;  Mrs.  Jemima  Hoy, 
90,    253;    John,    117;    Robert,    90; 
Sarah,  117  ;  Thomas,  90,  244. 

Dale,    Caroline,    251 ;    Clarissa,    251  • 
Franklin,   250. 


Dalre,  Battle  of,   347. 

D'Aubigne,    107. 

Daughters  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion, tablet,   74. 

Davenport,   Vida   L.,    134. 

Davis,  Mary  Ann,  250 ;  Capt.  Wil- 
liam,   246. 

Dawson,    Earl,    112. 

Defense,  The   (Ship),  117. 

DeKalb  County,  111.,  first  things,  245- 
247. 

Delancey,    Oliver,    4. 

Devine,  Francis,  212. 

Devine's    Tavern,    46. 

Dewey,   Mira   E.,   102. 

Didda,  Rose,   201. 

Disbrow,  Asa,  93  ;  Caleb,  93  ;  Eliza- 
beth A.,  93,  portrait,  96;  Maj. 
Gen.  John,  93  ;  Piatt,  93  ;  Thomas, 
93. 

Dings,   Eva  Gertrude,   195. 

Dixon's   Ferry,   HI.,   9. 

Dobbin,    Agnes    I.     (4),    111;    Albert 
(5),     111;     Alexander     (3),     115; 
Ann    (3),   113;    Benjamin   M.    (5), 
111,    113;    Blanch    M.     (6),    113; 
Charity     Agnes      (5),     111,     112; 
David    (2),    107,    114;    David    (3), 
113;    David    Miller     (3),    61,    109, 
110    ff.,     121,     129,    charter    mem- 
ber,   23,    portrait,    24,    ruling  elder, 
24,      71,     tablet,      73,     temperance, 
250;  Mrs.  David  Miller,   1st    (Char- 
ity   I.    Graham),    110;    Mrs.    David 
Miller,     2d     (Mary    Jane    French), 
charter     member,     23,     death,      25, 
tablet,    74,    110;  Mrs.   David  Miller, 
3d     (Elizabeth     Stott),     111,     252; 
Dwight     (5),     109;     Eleanor     (3), 
114;    Eleanor    L.     (3),    115,    235; 
Eliza     Jane      (4),     111;     Elizabeth 
(3),  114;  Emma    (4),  111;  Emma 
L.    (6),   113;  Glen    (6),   113;   Hat- 
tie     (4),     115;     Hattie     M.,     107 
Henry   George    (5),   111,   112;   Isa 
bel     (3),     115;    James     (2),     107 
James     (3,    Samuel    2),    115,    259 
262;    James    (3,    William    2),    109 
110;    James    Blair     (4),    80,    110 
James     McLean      (4),     109,     232 
James  S.    (3),  113;  Jane   (3),  108,' 
109,    110,    114,    168;    John,    of    S. 
Argyle,   244;  John    (1),   107;  John 
(2),     107,    113;    John     (3),    109, 
113;    John    Miller    (3),    115;    John 
R.     (6),    113;    Joseph     (3),    109; 
Juanita   H.     (6),    112;    Mabel    (5), 
111;     Margaret,     114,     115,     237; 
Margaret   Ann    (4),    110;  Marjorie 
M.     (6),     112;    Maria     (3),    113; 
Martha    (3),    113,    114;   Martha   S. 
109;    Mary     (3),     109,    114,    115; 
Mary    Jane    (4),    110;   Miller    (2), 
107,    114;   Samuel,   244,    245,    350; 
Samuel      (2),     108,     114;     Samuel 
(3),    109,    114;    Sarah     (3),    113, 
114;    Sarah    Mary    (4),    111    Silvia 
H.     (6),    112;    Stewart     (5),    111, 
113;  Wilda   (6),  113;  William   (2), 


361 


INDEX 


107,  108;  William  (3),  115;  Wil- 
liam John  (3),  116;  William  John 
(4),  110,  111;  William  Miller  (3), 
109,   110. 

Doctrines,  51  ff. 

Dogs,    282. 

Donald,    Clan    of,    168. 

"Donation    Visit,"    68. 

Dougal,   John,    236. 

Douglas, ,    229. 

Dress,    283. 

Drum-a-connor,  Ireland,   356. 

Dubois,   Peter,   4. 

Duncannon,    Pa.,    162. 

Dyer,  Mrs.  Anna  McNaughton,  114. 

Eagle,   Rose,   165. 

East    Greenwich,    N.    Y.,    245. 

Eastabrooks,    Bradbury,     294  ;    Easta- 

brooks,    Decatur,    294 ;    Eastabrooks, 

John,  9,  244,  246;  tablet,  74. 
Eastabrooks  farm,  91. 
Easton,  Miss  Christian,   252  ;  Harvey, 

252;   Mrs.   Harvey,    252. 
Eddy,     Belinda,     251 ;    Eunice,     251 ; 

Sarah,   251  ;  William  H.,   250. 
Edgar,    Ann,    120,    see    also    French, 

Mrs.    Jonathan    (6)  ;   William,    120, 

346. 
Edict  of  Nantes,   353. 
Elinger,   Lina,    200. 
Elliott,  Nancy  E.,  163;  Sarah,  165. 
Elsey,     David,     170;     Edward,     250; 

John,    165. 
Ensign,   Catherine,   149. 
Erie  Canal,  10,  11. 
Exodus  of  the  Cahans.   See   Cahans. 

Fairburn,    79. 

Farnsworth,    Gen.    John    F.,    97. 

Faxon,   Henry  J.,    81. 

Fay,  H.  W.,  250;  Harriet,  290; 
Mahala  P.,  251 ;  Rhoda  S.,  21,  251 ; 
Wells   E.,    72. 

Ferguson,  Agnes  B.  (3),  117; 
George,  355;  James  (1),  115,  129; 
Kenneth,  176;  Margaret  (2),  114; 
Nancy,  111,  252;  Nancy  M.  (2), 
116;  Ralph  (3),  117;  Robert  (2), 
116;  Robert  G.,  162;  William  C, 
116,   117;  William  G.,   72. 

Fever  and  ague,   279. 

Field,  Harriet  Clare,  218;  Oliver, 
218. 

Fife,    Scotland,    84. 

Finley,   James,   167. 

Finney,  James,  164;  Jennie  Mar- 
garet   (7),   164. 

Firman,  James,   45. 

Firth,   Scotland,   84. 

Fisher,  Alice,  201;  Donald,  348; 
Margaret,    348. 

Fitch,    Ann,    227. 

Fitch,   Dr.   Asa,   349. 

Flack,  James  H.,  225. 

Flodden    Field,    347. 

Forsyth,    Ellen   M.,    125. 

"Fort  Edward  Book,"   243. 

Foster,  Elizabeth,  119;  James,  114; 
John,    119. 


Food,  288. 

Forrester,   Mary,   130. 

Fotheringham,  George,  85  ;  Janet,  85. 

Fourth  of  July  Celebration,  258,  283. 

Fraser,  Mrs.  Alma,  176  ;  Caroline  A., 
82 ;  Mrs.  Rossana,  254  ;  William 
A.,  83  ;  William  F.,  82 ;  William 
H.,   83. 

Frazier,    George,    139. 

Freeland  Corners,  post  office,  39,  246. 

French,  Albert  C.  (10),  26,  114; 
Alexander  (7),  27,  120,  234,  char- 
ter member,  23,  tablet,  74 ;  Alex- 
ander Skinner,  187  ;  Alta  Grace  (9), 
123;  Andrew  L.  (8)  ,122  ;  Ann,  120  ; 
Ann  Edgar  see  French,  Mrs.  Jona- 
than (6)  ;  Anna  Elizabeth  (8), 
123;  Benjamin  (6),  119;  Bever- 
idge  (6),  118;  Clement  (6),  118; 
David  (5),  119;  David  (7),  118; 
Elizabeth  (7),  120;  Elizabeth  (8), 
120;  Ellen  Ann  (8),  152,  153, 
portrait,  149;  Elsie  M.  (9),  123; 
Rev.  David  (6),  120;  Francis  M., 
123;  George  Beveridge  (8),  122, 
167,  207,  portrait,  149;  Mrs. 
George  B.  (Clara  Kirkpatrick ) , 
122,  167,  portrait,  149  ;  Isabel 
Beveridge  see  French,  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam;  James,  25,  251;  Mrs.  James, 
portrait,  149;  James  W.  (7),  121, 
122,  252;  Jane,  229;  Janet  (7), 
118;  Jeannette  (8),  122;  Jennie 
M.  (10),  119;  John  (6),  119; 
John  Blair  (6),  118;  John  Blair 
(8),  121;  John  M.  (7),  118;  John 
M.  (9),  123;  John  P.  (8),  119; 
Jonathan    (6),    26,    117,    118,    119. 

120,  charter  member  22,  23, 
death  25,  tablet  74 ;  Mrs.  Jona- 
than (6)  (Ann  Edgar),  charter 
member,  22,  23,  death,  25,  tablet 
74;  Dr.  Jonathan  B.  (7),  120, 
279;  Joseph  (3),  117;  Joseph  (8), 
120;  Leile  B.  (9),  123;  Marguerita 
W.  (10),  119;  Martin  (8),  120; 
Mary  Ann  (8),  119,  252;  Mary 
Elizabeth  (8),  121,  159,  portrait 
149;  Mary  E.  (9),  122;  Mary 
Jane  (7),  110,  121;  Rev.  Rens- 
selaer W.  (7),  15,  24  ff.,  50,  118, 
249,  289,  organizes  church,  26, 
portrait,  22,  resigns,  66,  slavery, 
60,  tablet,  73  ;  Mrs.  Rensselaer  W. 
(Nancy  Pollock),  25,  118,  portrait, 
134;  Robena  Jane  McM.  (8),  119, 
252;  Robert  (7),  118;  Robert  G. 
(10),  119;  Samson  (4),  117; 
Samuel  (2),  117;  Sarah  (7),  char- 
ter member,  22,  23,  121,  portrait, 
218,   tablet,    74;   Sarah   Agnes    (8), 

121,  180,  portrait,  189;  Solomon 
(6),  120;  Susan  (8),  123;  Su- 
sanna (7),  120;  Walter  B.  (9), 
123;  William  (1),  171;  William 
(7),  118,  120,  121,  portrait,  120, 
251  ;  Mrs  William  (Isabel  Bever- 
idge), 11,  13,  121,  character  mem- 
ber,   23,   portrait,    120,    149,   tablet, 


362 


INDEX 


73,  121;  William  J.  (8),  71,  123, 
153,  portrait,  149  ;  Mrs.  William 
J.  (Sarah  E.  Henry),  123,  153, 
portrait,  149;  Willie,  portrait,   149. 

Frink,  Walker  &  Sanger  Stage,   13. 

Frisbee,    Lucien,    246,    295. 

Fugitive   Slave   Law,    62. 

Fullerton,  Alexander,  254,  256;  Mrs. 
Eliza,  253;  Jane,  255;  John,  167; 
Julia,  228  ;  Martha  S.,  255 ;  Tay- 
lor,   255. 

Fulton,  Joseph  T.,   72,  116. 

Fulton,  Margaret  Ferguson,  116,  254. 

Funerals,    282. 

Furman,  James  H.,  45,  250. 

Galena,   111.,   mail   route,    9. 

Galena    Stage   Road,    37. 

Galloway,     Scotland,     84,     182,     356; 

map,    243. 
Gamble,    Samuel,    191. 
Gibson,    Hon.    James,    347. 
Gilbert,   Hoyt,    177. 
Gilchrist,     Albert     Leroy     (3),     125; 
Alexander,   72;  Dr.   Alexander    (3), 
69,    125,    126;    Alexander    R.     (3), 
125;   Alexander  Stewart    (4),   126; 
Andrew    (3),   126,  233;  Andrew  R. 
(3),    125;    Andrew    T.     (3),    125; 
Anna  Mary   (3),  125;  Eleanor   (2), 
124;    Emma    J.     (3),    125;    James 
(2),  124;  Jane  Hannah    (3),   125; 
Joseph      (2),     124,     225,     portrait, 
149;  Margaret    (4),  125;  Margaret 
I.    (3),   125;  Nettie,  portrait,   149; 
Robert     (2),     124;    Sarah    J.     (3), 
125;    Thomas     (1),    124;    Wallace 
(3),    125. 
Gillaspie,    Agnes     (2),     354;    Cather- 
ine    (3),     354,     355;    Daniel     (2), 
354,  355;  Daniel   (3),  355;  Eleanor 
(3),   354;  Gilbert    (2),   354;  Janet 
(3),    354;    Jacob     (3),    355;    John 
(3),     354;     Margaret      (3),     355; 
Mary    (3),    354;   Nancy    (3),    354; 
Neal    (1),  344,  354,  355;  Neil   (2), 
354,    355;   Neil    (3),    355. 
Gilleland,    Henry,    197;   Sarah,    353. 
Gillette,  Eunice,  129,  130;  Fidelio  B 

130;  Guillaume,  130. 
Gilles,    Mary,    195,    350,    352. 
Gilmore,   Ann,    84. 
Glasgow    University,    356. 
Godding,   Abigail,    93. 
Gold   Rush,    The,    40,    284   ff. 
Golden  Rule  (Ship),  182. 
Goodell,    Caroline,    166,    254;    Laura, 

256. 
Goodson,   William,    354. 
Gordon.     Nicholes,     182,     183  ;     Sam- 
uel,   165. 
Gowdy,  Maida,  171. 
Graham,    Abner    Warner    (4)  ;    Alex- 
ander   (4),    141;   Andrew    (4),    ix, 
133,     134,     195,     "Early     Schools," 
249,    portrait,    ix,    134;    Mrs.    An- 
drew   (Mary   R.    McEachron),    134, 
195;    Andrew    Harper     (5),     142; 
Anna    (4),   141;  Rev.  Archibald  L. 


(5),  72,  137;  Bertha  Jean  (5), 
134;  Charity  Irvine  (3),  110,  129; 
Cornelia  (5),  137;  David  (3), 
143;  David  Wilson  (5),  142;  Ed- 
ward (4),  141  ;  Elizabeth  Jane  (3), 
129;  Ethel,  178;  George,  139; 
George    (2),    129,    141;    George   D. 

(3),  129,  138;  George  Dean  (5), 
139;  George  Ernest  (5),  140; 
George  Vernon  (5),  137;  Hazel 
(5),  135;  Isaac  (3),  67,  71,  141, 
portrait,  149;  Mrs.  Isaac,  portrait, 
149;  James  (3),  129;  James  (4 
George  D.  3),  138,  170;  James  (4 
Robert  3),  133,  137,  195;  James 
Robertson  (4),  139,  140,  203;  Jen- 
nie Miller  (5),  139;  John  (1), 
127;   John   G.    (3),    129;   John   W. 

(2),  110,  129;  Joseph  Thompson, 
140;  McLean  (4),  143;  Margaret, 
229;  Margaret  (4),  133,  177; 
Margaret  (5),  135;  Margaret  Jane 
(4),  139,  140;  Martha  Eliza  (5), 
142;  Mary  (5),  137;  Mary  Ann 
(4),  133,  170;  Mary  June  (4), 
141;  May  (5),  113,  142;  Myrtle 
Jessie  (5),  140;  Myrtle  L.  (6) 
135;  Nancy  A.  (3),  115,  129; 
Nancy  Mary  (4),  139,  141; 
Nathan  O.,  257 ;  Nettie  Marian 
(5),  140;  Paul  Eugene  (5),  140; 
Phoebe  McL.,  115;  Rose  Marie  (5), 
140;  Robert  (3),  37,  88,  129,  132, 
138  247,  252;  Mrs.  Robert  (Sarah 
Williamson),  133;  Rosannah  (3), 
129,  139;  Ross  (5),  138;  Russell 
(4),  72,  133;  Mrs.  Sarah  see  Gra- 
ham, Mrs.  Robert;  Sarah  Jane  (4) 
143,  250;  Sarah  W.  (5),  134; 
Thomas  (4),  71,  142;  Thomas  H. 
(5),  134,  Wallace,  137;  Wallace 
More  (5),  140;  Walter  (5),  134; 
William,  229;  William.  Elder,  244; 
William  (1),  127;  William  (3), 
142;  William  B.  (4),  143;  Wil- 
liam Irvine  (3),  129,  130;  William 
John     (4),    141;    William    M.     (5), 

Gray,   Mary,    171. 
Green   Mountains,   182,   183. 
Greenfield,  Mrs.   Helen,    75. 
Greenwich,    N.    Y.,    350 
Grey,  Adam  Clark,  346  ;  Jane  E.,  125 
Grist   Mill,    220. 

Guthrie,  Nancy,  225  ;  William,  209  ; 
Mrs.    William    ( Nesbitt),    209. 

Haines,    Samuel,    355. 

Hajek,   Joseph   G.,    135. 

Hall,  James,  184;  John,  190;  Re- 
becca,  80. 

Hamilton,  Anne.  227;  Cora  141- 
Eleanor,  212,  353;  Ola,  181;  Rob- 
ert, 346. 

Hamlin,  Ida,  200,   257  ;  Lora,  257. 

Hancock,   Noah   W.,   250. 

Hanks,    Sergt.   John,    218;   Lois,    218 

Hanna,  David,  Elder,  208,  244  •  Mar- 
garet,  208. 

Harmon,  Amos,  246. 


363 


INDEX 


Harper,   Alanson   C.    (3),    147;   Alice 
E.    (3),    147;   Alice  M.    (3),    146 
Andrew  G.   (3),  147  ;  Anne  M.   (3) 
146;   Archibald    (3),    145;   Charles 
(3),    147;    Dewitt    C.     (3),    147 
George    (3),  144,  146;  George    (4) 
145;   James    (1),   143;  James    (3) 
144,  145,  147;  James  B.    (2),  144 
147;  James  H.    (3),  147;  John  K. 
(3),    147;    Malcom    C.     (3),    146 
Margaret  A.    (3),   147,   158;  Mary 
E.    (3),    147;   Mary   J.    (3),    147 
Norman     (3),     144;     Robert     (3) 
147;   Robert   B.    (3),    146;   Robert 
H.      (2),      143,      144,      146,     148 
Thomas     (2),     143,     144;     Thomas 
(3),    147;    Thomas    A.     (3),    147 
William    (2),    144,    146,    160;   Wil- 
liam   (3),   147. 

Harrison,   ,    114. 

Harsha,   Rev.    J.,    269. 

Harter,  John,  163. 

Harvison,  Glenn  Irwin,  159;  June  S., 
159;  Maribel,   159. 

Hastings,   Rev.  A.  C.,  installed,   1895, 
69. 

Hay,    Charles,    236. 

Hays,   Mary  Ella,   100. 

Health,   279,   288. 

Hebron,    N.   Y.,    244. 

Hebron    United    Presbyterian    Church, 
80. 

Heeg,  Bonnie  Myrl,  83  ;  Marshall,   83. 

Hemphill,    Rev.    W.    H.,    called,    70. 

Henderson,   Rev.   H.    L.,    70;   William 
H.,   162. 

Henley,  Josephine  V.,   156. 

Henry,  Agnes  R.  (4),  150,  166,  por- 
trait, 149;  Alexander,  292;  Mrs. 
Alexander,  portrait,  149 ;  Anna 
Bell  (4),  153,  portrait,  149;  Anna 
Mary  (4),  149;  Anna  Parmelia 
(3),  149,  230,  portrait,  149; 
Charles  (3),  121,  152,  portrait, 
149 ;  Mrs.  Charles,  152,  portrait, 
149;  Duncan  (5),  153;  Elizabeth 
(3),  148,  230;  Ellen  Ann  (French) 
see  Henry,  Mrs  Chester ;  Ellen 
Jennette  (5),  153;  Frank,  portrait, 
149;  Frank  R.  (4),  153;  Frank 
Ross  (5),  153;  Frank  V.  A.  (5), 
151;  George  (2),  148,  egg  gather- 
ing, 47;  George  B.  (4),  150,  por- 
trait, 149 ;  Gilbert,  193,  portrait, 
149;  Gilbert  (4),  153;  Gilbert 
(5),  153;  Gretchen  (5),  153;  Isa- 
bella B.  (4),  150,  portrait,  149; 
James  (3),  148,  149,  252,  golden 
wedding,  48,  portrait,  120,  149; 
Somonauk,  48;  Mrs.  James  (Jen- 
nett  Beveridge),  11,  25,  252, 
golden  wedding,  48,  portrait,  120, 
149  ;  Jessie  May,  151  ;  John,  elder, 
244:  John  Blair  (4),  153,  por- 
trait, 149;  John  Vetch  (2),  148, 
portrait,  149,  reminiscences,  47  ff., 
wild  cat  currency,  55 ;  Mrs.  John 
Vetch,  151,  portrait,  149;  John 
Vetch     (4),    150;    Lily    See    Turn- 


bull,  Mrs.  Lulu  Belle  (5),  152; 
Margaret  (2) ,  148  ;  Margaret  Eliza- 
beth (4),  150,  238,  portrait,  149; 
Mary,  299;  Mary  Ellen  (4),  153, 
178,  portrait,  149;  Merran  (5), 
153;  Minnie  J.  (4),  150;  Philo- 
melia  J.  (4),  150,  207;  Parmelia 
(3),  149;  Parmelia  (4),  150;  Rob- 
ert (2),  148;  Sarah  Elizabeth  (4), 
123,  153,  portrait,  149;  Sarah  T. 
L.  (4),  150;  Thomas  (3),  149; 
William  (1),  148,  227;  William 
(2),  148;  William   (3),  149. 

Herpin,  Augusta,  224 ;  Eunice  The- 
rese,    224. 

Hess,    Alice,    101. 

Heun,   Emma,    200. 

Higginson,    Mrs.    Ella,    verses,    358. 

High,   Shirly,    95. 

"Highland,    Mary,"    137. 

Highland  Scotch,  1 ;  in  New  York, 
352,  353. 

Highby,    Emma,    205. 

Hill,   James,   120. 

Hillard,    Elizabeth,    198. 

Hoag,  Daniel,  250  ;  California,  40 ; 
death,    43;   M.,    251. 

Hollenbeck,  ,  246. 

Holt,    Sarah,    144. 

Home  Missions  of  the  Associate  Pres- 
byterian  Church,   15. 

Hopkins,   Mrs.    Mary,    256. 

Hough,  Burrage,   246,   251. 

Hough,  Calvin,  250 ;  Esther  Ann, 
250  ;  George,  250  ;  G.  L.,  251  ;  Har- 
riet, 251  ;  Luther,  246  ;  Luther  M., 
250  ;  Mary,  251  ;  Wesley,   250. 

Howden,   Mrs.    Emma    (Nichol),    139. 

Howison,  Albert  (3),  156;  Alex- 
ander (2),  23,  156,  157,  175, 
California,  43,  157,  portrait,  149; 
Archie  H.  (3),  157,  226;  Eliza,  25, 
252,  see  also  White,  Mrs.  Alex- 
ander; Eliza  (2),  23,  155;  Eliza- 
beth A.,  157;  George  (1),  72,  154, 
letter,  292  ;  Mrs.  George  (Margaret 
Brown),  23,  154,  charter  member, 
22,  tablet,  74;  George  Andrew  (3), 
157;  George  Bert,  158;  George  W. 
(3),  156;  Isabel  (2),  155;  Isa- 
bella C,  157;  James  (2),  23,  155, 
163,  California,  40,  155;  James, 
Mrs.,  portrait,  149;  James  A.  (3), 
156;  Mabel  (3),  158;  Margaret 
(3),  157,  158;  Margaret  Brown 
see  Howison,  Mrs.  George;  Mary 
Jane,  235;  Mary  Jeannette  (3), 
157;  Mary  M.  (3),  156;  Ralph 
James  (3),  157;  Robert,  251;  Rob- 
ert (2),  23,  155,  157,  163;  Robert 
W.  (3),  156;  William  (2),  23,  155, 
156;  William  J.    (3),  156. 

Hoy,     Ann,     91     see     also     Beveridge, 
Mrs.    George;    James,    96;    Jemima, 
90,    see    also    Cummings,    Mrs.    J. ; 
Irene,   186. 
Huggins,    Mary,    124. 
Huguenots,   107,   129,   353. 


364 


INDEX 


Hummel,  J.  M.,  letter,   294;  Peter  F., 

20,  246,  294. 
Rung,  Elizabeth,   237. 
Hunt,  Hon.  Ward,   354. 
Husk,   Dr.    Charles,    166. 
Huston,   John,    254;   Mary,    236. 
Hutchan,  Charles,  350. 
Hutter,    Harry    Kennedy,    165;    Jesse 

Calvin,    165;   Peter,   165. 
Hutton,   Elizabeth,    90. 

Illinois,  244,  276  ff.,  land,  13. 

Indian   Boundary  lines,   19. 

Indians,  19;  massacre,  196;  settle- 
ments, 247  ;  see  also  Shabbona  and 
others. 

Ireland,   North   of,    127,   352. 

Ireland,  Presbyterians  in,   3  ff. 

Irish    Rebellion,    108. 

Irons,   Rev.   D.,    69. 

Irvine,    Margaret,    128. 

Irving,    Mary   Ann    Armstrong,    80. 

Irwin,  Agnes  (4),  160;  Anna  Lizzie 
(3),  189;  Eleanor  (2),  159;  Eliza- 
beth (2),  159,  see  also  Beveridge, 
Mrs.  Thomas  G.  ;  Eva  Valeria  (4), 
160;  Isabel  French  (3),  160;  Jane 
(2),  159;  John,  160;  Margaret, 
92,  159;  Margaret  Jane  (2),  159; 
Martha  Ann  (2),  159;  Mary  (2), 
159;  Mary  Irene  (4),  160;  Sarah, 
146,  160;  Sarah  Ann  (2),  159; 
Thomas,  110;  Thomas  (2),  121, 
159;  William  (1),  148,  158;  Wil- 
liam (3),  160;  William  M.  (2), 
159. 

Islay,  Island  of,   2,   190. 

Jager,  David,   355. 

James,   Dr.   Edmund  J.,   216. 

Jans,   Anneke,   209. 

Jenny   (Ship),  183. 

Jesuit   priests,    83. 

Johnson,      Frank     M.,      and     family ; 

Thomas,    346;   William,    143. 
Johnston,   Isabel,    227;  Dr.   Jesse,    69, 

134. 
Joliet,   Louis,   245. 
Jones,  David,   80;  John  Paul,  175. 
Judson,    Helen    M.,    95,    portrait,    96, 

149;  Philo,    95. 

Kakiate   Patent,    191,    350. 

Kansas  Nebraska  Bill,   64,    94. 

Kellogg,   Miles,    250. 

Kelly,  Nancy  Wills,  160,  portrait, 
149. 

Kennedy,  Archie,  160;  Belle,  160, 
portrait,  149  ;  Rev.  David  Stewart, 
61,  66,  160,  portrait,  66,  149, 
tablet,  73;  Mrs.  David  S.,  149; 
Harry,  160;  James,  160;  Mary 
Tillie,  160;  Reid,  160;  Sadie,  160; 
Tom,    160. 

Kent,   Augusta,    81. 

Kenyon,   Mrs.   Mary,    255. 

Keys,   Harry  L.,   105. 

Kidd,    Alexander,    355;   Charles,    346. 

Kilcudbright,  Galloway,  Scotland,  183. 


Killcon,  Co.  Armagh,  Ireland,  103. 

Kilmore,   Eva   Gertrude,   195. 

Kilpatrick,    see    Kirkpatrick. 

Kimball,     Charlotte,     217;     Solon     D., 
217. 

Kimball,    Eugene,    275  ;   Mark,    275. 

Kinross,   Scotland,   84. 

Kinslow,    Samuel,    148. 

Kintyre,   Scotland,    168. 

Kirk,  Jane,  160;  Dr.  William,  160. 

Kirkpatrick,  Agnes  May  (7),  167; 
Albina  (5),  163,  236;  Ann  (5), 
162;  Anna  Eliza  (6),  166;  Clara 
M.  (7),  122,  167,  portrait,  149; 
Corena  (7),  166;  David  Easton 
(8),  166;  Easton  (6),  166,  por- 
trait, 149;  Mrs.  Easton  (Agnes  R. 
Henry),  150,  166,  portrait,  149; 
Eleanor  (5),  114,  162;  Eliza  (7), 
164;  Emma,  portrait,  149;  Emma 
Jane  (7),  167;  Flora  M.  (7),  167; 
Floyd  (7),  166,  portrait,  149; 
Hannah  Eleanor  (5),  157,  163; 
Hiram  (5),  162;  Hezekiah  (5), 
163;  Isaac  (1),  161;  Isaac  (3), 
162;  Isaac  (5),  49,  162,  163,  166 
ff. ;  Isaac  F.  (5),  163;  Jessie  S. 
(7),  164;  Isabella  (5),  163;  James 
Ellis  H  (6),  125,  166;  James  H. 
(7),  164;  James  P.,  164;  Jean- 
nette  B.,  171,  portrait,  149  ;  Jen- 
nie (7),  166;  Jesse  (4),  162; 
Jesse  P.  (5),  163;  Jessie  S.  (7), 
164;  Julia  Ann  (4),  102;  Julia 
Ann  (5),  163,  236;  John  Samp- 
son (6),  164;  Joseph  (3),  162; 
Mabel  ( 7 ) ,  164;  Margaretta  ( 6 ) , 
165;  Margarette,  162;  Matilda  (5), 
163;  Mary,  161;  Mary  Jane  (5), 
155,  163;  Mertie  E.  (7),  164; 
Moses  (3),  162;  Moses  Calvin  (6), 
164;  Nancy  (7),  164;  Nancy  Jane 
(6),  164;  Rebecca  (5),  163,  236; 
Richard,  157;  Richard  (2),  162; 
Richard  (4),  161,  162;  Robert  (6), 
166;  Roger,  161;  Sarah  Ellers  (7), 
167;  Smiley  (5),  165;  Thomas  Ber- 
nard (8),  166. 
Kirtland,  H.  D.,  250;  James  N.,  250. 

Knapdale,  Scotland,  168. 

Knapp,   Sarah,   93. 
Knox,  Lulu  Belle,   187. 

Kutzner,  Marguerita,  138. 

Lackey,  Calvin  D.,  250. 

Lake,  N.  Y.,  260. 

Lakeville,  N.  Y.  see  Cossayuna. 

Lamb,  Janet,  90. 

Lamson,  Lorenzo  J.,   34,  47. 

Land  and  land  claims  19,  etc. 

Land  Office  at  Chicago,  19. 

Landen,  James  E.,  201  ;  Sarah,  200. 

La  Salle,  Robert  de,  245. 

Lattin,  Ella,  201. 

Laughead,  Adelbert,  180;  Ethel,  180; 

James,    180;    Lulu,    180;    William, 

180. 
Law,  Rev.  Isaac,  15. 
Lay,  Joseph,  251;  S.  H.,  64. 


365 


INDEX 


Lemon,  David,  208. 

Lendrum,  Archibald,  elder,  245  ; 
George,  192,  194;  George,  elder, 
244  ;  Jeannette,  192  ;  Margaret,  134  ; 
Margaret  Gregg,  194;  William, 
elder,  244. 

Lett,  Alonzo,  218  ;  Clare  Everett,  215  ; 
Mrs.   Phoebe  Nichols,  218. 

Letters,  258  ff. 

Lewis,  Dr.  J.  M.,  tablet,   74. 

Liberty   Party,    57,    264. 

Lidderdale,    Scotland,    79. 

"Lightning,"   engine,   247. 

Lincoln,  Abraham,   64,   65  ;  Eva,   179. 

Little,  Mrs.  Minnie  (Orr),  portait  149. 

Livingston,  Alexander,  140 ;  Hon. 
Alexander  (2),  353;  Archibald  (1), 
227,  351,  352,  353;  Mrs.  Archi- 
bald (4),  210,  353  ;  Belle,  140,  141  ; 
Mrs.  Eleanor  McNaughton  (see  Mrs. 
Archibald)  ;  Elizabeth,  225  ;  George 
R.,  140;  John,  191;  Janet  (2),  351, 
352;  John  R.,  140;  Margaret  (2), 
352;  Mrs.  Margaret,  253;  Mary, 
112,  357;  Mary  (2),  227,  352; 
Mary  (5),  140;  Marianne  (2),  353  ; 
Moses  (2),  353;  Nancy,  141;  por- 
trait, 149;  Nancy  Jeannette,  140; 
Rebecca  J.,  140  ;  Robert,  271  ;  Rob- 
ert John  (5),  140;  William  Robert- 
son    (5),    140. 

Loch  Tay,  347. 

Locomotives,  45,  247. 

Log  Cabin,  built,  9  ;  description,  12, 
28,  145,  294  ;  entertains  travelers, 
13  ;  first  church  services,  15  ;  fron- 
tispiece. 

Log  houses,  213,  280. 

Long  Cane,  S.  C,  3,  356. 

Loomis,  Rev.  Aretas,  92  ;  Sarah,   92. 

Lords  of  the  Isles,  168. 

Louden,  Mary  Ann,   225. 

Lourie,  James,  elder,  244  ;  Janet,  84  ; 
John,    84  ;  Nancy,    114. 

Loyalists,    5. 

Lucore,   John,    346. 

Lukes,  James,  346. 

McAffee,  Martha  Jane,  206;  Robert, 
256. 

McAllister,  Anna   (2),  170;  Cecil   (4) 
171  ;  Dexter,  168  ;  Donald  (4),  171 
Eliza     (2),     169;    Ella     (4),    171 
Ellen    (2),    170;   Esther    (2),    170 
Helen    (3),    171;    Isabel    (2).    170 
James   (1),  25,  109,  110,  168,  252 
James  Russell    (4),  171;  James  W. 
(2),    169,    170;    Jane,    252;    Leslie 
K.    (4),   171;  Margaret,   169;  Mar- 
garet   (3),   171;   Martha    (2),   169, 
252;    Mary     (2),    169,    252;    Mary 
Belle   (3),  171;  Ralph  Graham   (4), 
171;  Robert  James    (3),   166,   171; 
Mrs.  Robert  J.    (Jeannette  Kirkpat- 
rick),     171,    portrait    149;    Russell 
(3),    171;   Samuel    (2),   170;  Sara 
Jeannette     (4),     171;     Sarah     (2), 
138,    170;    Sarah    Jane     (3),    171; 
Ward  (3),  72,  171;  William  J.  (2), 


72,  169,  170;  William  John  (3). 
171. 

Mc Arthur,  Peter,  297  ff. 

McBride,  Agnes,  256;  Chrissie,  153; 
Samuel,   122,  250. 

McBurney,   Mary,   127. 

McCague,  Mrs.  Anna,  253. 

McCall,  Ann,  176. 

McCally,  Michael,  255. 

McCaskey,  Amos,  163. 

McClaughry,    Margaret,    357. 

McCleary,  John  (1),  172,  174;  Lt. 
Daniel,  103,  212  ;  see  also  McCleery. 

McCleery,  Ada  Belle  (4),  181;  Ada- 
line  (4),  177;  Agnes  (4),  181; 
Albert  (4),  178;  Mrs.  Albert  (Mary 
Henry),  178,  portrait  149;  Annie 
(9),  176;  Archie  (4),  178;  Benja- 
min H.  (4),  177;  Bessie  (4),  177; 
Carlisle  (4),  72,  177;  Carolyn,  181; 
Catherine  (2),  174;  Catherine  (4), 
178;  Catherine  Bell,  179;  David 
(3),  179;  Edward  (3),  179,  180; 
Edward  Cook  (2),  173,  178,  252; 
Mrs.  Edward  C,  178,  252;  Eliza 
Ellen  (3),  179;  Elizabeth  (2),  174, 
206;  Elizabeth  (3),  175,  180;  Eve- 
lyn (5),  177;  Fannie  (4),  178  i 
Fanny  Elizabeth  (4),  177;  George 
(4),  181,  226;  Harriet  (4),  181 ; 
Henry  (4),  178;  Howard  (4), 
177;  Hugh  (3),  175;  Hugh  (4), 
181;  Irene  Ellen  (5),  178;  Isabel 
(4),  177;  Isabel  Jane  (3),  179; 
James,  252;  James  (2),  173,  174; 
James  (3),  175,  177;  Mrs.  James 
(Margaret  Graham),  71,  74;  James 
A.,  72;  James  Andrew  (4),  176; 
James  Martin  (3),  121,  180;  James 
Martin  (3),  121,  180;  Mrs.  James 
M.  (Sarah  A.  French),  121,  180, 
portrait  149;  Jane  (2),  173;  John, 
252;  John  (1),  172;  John  (2),  173, 
179;  John  (3),  175,  176,  180; 
John  (4  John  3),  176;  John  (4 
William  Doig  3),  178  ;  John  Andrew 
(4),  177;  Lulu  May  (4),  176;  Mar- 
garet (2),  173;  Margaret  (3  James 
2),  157,  175;  Margaret  (3  John  2), 
180;  Margaret  (4  James  3),  177; 
Margaret  (4  John  3),  176;  Mar- 
garet Ann  (3),  179;  Mrs.  Margaret 
Graham,  see  McCleery,  Mrs.  James  ; 
(3),  Marian  (5),  177;  Marie  (3), 
180;  Marie  (4),  181,  226;  Mar- 
jorie  (5),  177;  Mary  (3  Edward 
C.  2),  179;  Mary  (4  James  3), 
177;  Mary  Ann  (2),  173;  Mary 
Ann  (3),  99,  175,  portrait,  149,  see 
also  Beveridge,  Mrs.  J.  C. ;  Mary 
Jennette  (5),  178;  Nettie  4),  177; 
Raymond,  72;  Raymond  (4),  177; 
Richard  (5),  181;  Robert  (2), 
173;  Robert  (4),  176;  Robert 
James  (3),  179;  Ruth  (4),  178; 
Ruth  (5),  177;  Sarah  Belle  (5), 
178;  Sarah  Jane  (4),  177;  Samuel 
(3),  179;  Thomas  (2),  173; 
Thomas,  M.  D.  (3),  180;  Wayne 
(5),    176;    William    D.,    elder,    72; 


366 


INDEX 


William  Doig  (3),  176,  177,  226; 
William  Russell  (4),  177.  McCleery  ; 
see  also  McCleary. 

McClellan,  Elizabeth  (5),  185,  186; 
Ernest  Stewart  (5),  187;  Grissey 
(2),  182,  190;  Harry  V.  (5),  187; 
Mrs.  Isabel,  portrait  149  ;  James 
(3),  182,  184;  James  (4),  184, 
186,  232  ;  James  C.  (5),  185;  Jane, 
225;  Jannet,  226;  Jennie  (5),  185, 
186;  John,  244;  John  (2),  182, 
188;  John  (3),  188;  John  R.  (5), 
185,  186;  Mary  (2) ,  182,  190  ;  Mar- 
garet (5),  185,  186;  Mary  Boyd 
(5),  187;  Mary  Ella,  189,  190; 
Mima  C.  (5),  186;  Nancy  (2), 
182,  190;  Nancy  (3),  188;  Peter, 
elder,  67,  244,  portrait  149;  Peter 
Cruickshank  (4),  72,  188,  189; 
Phoebe  (3),  81;  Phoebe  F.  (3), 
188  ;  Robert,  elder,  244  ;  Robert  (1), 
182,  183;  Robert  (2),  182,  188; 
Samuel  Nelson  (4),  184,  185; 
Robert  Gordon  (3),  188;  Sarah, 
120;  Sarah  (3),  98;  188;  Therese 
(5),  187;  Therese  A.,  123  ;  William, 
89  ;  William,  elder,  244.  Col.  Wil- 
liam, 225;  William  (2),  182,  183; 
William  (3),  188;  William  Ralph 
(5),  186;  William  Stewart  (5), 
187. 

McClintock,  Rev. ,  282. 

McCoUem,  Daniel,   346. 

McConnell,  Mrs.  Elizabeth ;  John  A., 
255. 

McCord,   Margaret  J.,   164. 

McCoy,  William,  162,  170. 

McCrea,  Jane,  351  ;  Col.  John,  351. 

McCreles,  John,   346. 

McClure,  Agnes,  192. 

McClymonds,  197. 

McDonald,  Anna,  190;  Mary,  348, 
351. 

McDougall,  Charles  A.,  219;  Duncan, 
134;  Elizabeth,  353;  William  Jr., 
353;  Rev.  William,   353. 

McEachron,  Acker  (5),  193;  Alexan- 
der, 261;  Ann  (3),  191;  Anna 
Jeanette  (6),  195,  137;  Catherine 
(2),  190;  Catherine  (3),  191;  Cor- 
nelius (3),  191,  196;  Daniel  N. 
(3),  191;  Don  Scott  (6),  194  Ron- 
ald (1),  190;  Duncan  L.  (5),  194; 
Emma  G.  (6),  195;  George  L.  (5), 
195;  French  (5),  193;  Harold  (6), 
193;  Jacob  (3),  191;  James,  259; 
James  A.  (4),  192;  Jean  (6),  194; 
Jeannette  (6),  193;  John  (2),  191, 
195;  John  Andrew  (4),  192;  John 
D.  (6),  194;  John  N.,  191;  Len- 
drum  S.  (6),  194;  Mary  (5),  192; 
Mary  Robertson  (6),  134,  136, 
195,  portrait  134  ;  Nancy  (3).  191  ; 
Neil,  245;  Neil  (2),  191;  Nora 
(5),  153,  193;  Norma  (3),  193; 
Peter,  244;  Peter  (2),  191,  195-6; 
Peter  N.  (3),  191,  192;  Paul  N. 
(6),  194;  Philip  (3),  191,  194; 
Philip,  245;  Robert  (6),  194;  Ruth 
(6),   193;  Samuel,   261;  Scott    (6), 


194;  Thomas  (4),  194,  portrait 
149  ;  Thomas  J.,  72. 

McFarland,   Anna,    229. 

McGaughey,  Alexander,   232. 

McGeoch,  Alexander,  226,  255;  Ber- 
tha, 100  ;  Cornelia,  195  ;  John,  192  ; 
Nancy,  261;  Margaret,  192;  Mar- 
garet Ann,  226  ;  see  also  McGue. 

McGibbon,  John,  254  ;  Mrs.  Cynthia 
A.,   254. 

McGue,  Jane,   204,   206. 

Mcllhenney,  Thomas,  256;  Thomas  J., 
122;  Mary,   354,   355. 

Mcllvaine,   Eliza,   253. 

Mclnnes,  Donald,   255. 

Mclntyre,   James,   129. 

McKallor,  Archibald   (1),  194. 

McKallor,  Catharine,  194;  Dougal 
(2),  194;  Elizabeth,  209. 

McKay,  ,  114. 

McKee,  Alexander  (2),  198;  John 
(2),  198;  Joseph  (2),  198;  Maria 
(2),  198;  Samuel  (2),  198;  Sarah 
(2),  198;  William  (1),  198,  199, 
231. 

McKelvey,  I.,  255  ;  Mrs.  Margaret, 
255. 

McKnight,  David,  351;  George  F.. 
125. 

McLaughlin,  Christie,  228;  Rev. 
Ralph,   153. 

McLean,    Jane  A.,    129. 

McLean,   Rachel,   109. 

McMichael,   Dr.   T.   H.,   address,    74. 

McMicken,   Robena,   118. 

McMillan,  Elizabeth  S.,   106. 

McMillen,    Lizzie,    256. 

McNaughton,   16  cent,   347. 

McNaughton,  Alexander  (1),  3,  108, 
347  ff.,  grave,  352;  lot,  32,  340, 
petitions,  297,  299,  trustee,  350, 
signature,  344,  Mrs.  Alexander, 
190;  Alexander  (3),  350;  Archi- 
bald (3),  351;  Daniel  (3),  351; 
Donald,  Bp.  of  Dunkirk,  347  ;  Dun- 
can, 348;  Eleanor  (2),  227,  348, 
351,  352;  Eleanor  (3),  351;  Janet 
(2),  348,  351;  John  (2),  348, 
350;  Margaret  (3) ,  351  ;  Mary  (2) , 
4,  351,  353,  354,  see  also  Mrs.  Ed- 
ward Savage;  Mary  (3),  350,  351; 
Moses  (2),  348,  351;  Robert  (3), 
350;  Sarah,  262. 

McNeal,  Archibald,  355;  John,  298; 
Jane,  90;  William,  elder,  245. 

McNew,  Clara  May,  219. 

MacLeod,  Neil,  poem,  244. 

Machlin,   James,   185;  Margaret,   189. 

Mahaffey,  Charles  Thomas  (5),  196; 
Chauncey  Elbert  (4),  198;  Frances 
(4),  197;  Gordon  K.  (3),  196, 
198;  Jean  (4),  197  ;  John  (1),  196; 
John  (2),  196;  Rev.  John  A.,  196. 
197;  Margaret  McClelland  (3),  196, 
197;  Mary  Lois  (4),  197;  Mary 
Winifred  (3),  196,  198;  Martha  I. 
(3),  196.  197;  Robert  David  (3), 
196,  197;  Thomas  J.  (3),  196; 
William  Armitage  (3),  196,  198; 
William  B.    (4),   196. 


367 


INDEX 


Mains,  James,  114,351;  John,  256; 
Margaret,  107,  114;  Sarah,  108, 
114. 

Malone,  Margaret,   197. 

Manly,  Emily,  237. 

Mannen,  John  M.,  221. 

Marquette,  Father  Jacques,  S.  J.,  245. 

Marselus,  David,  215  ;  Jan,  215  ;  Har- 
riet Jane,  215. 

Marsh,  Jonathan,   346. 

Marshall,      Cornelia,      238,      portrait, 

149;    Rev.    ,     180;    Hay  ward, 

102. 

Martin,  Jane,  101,  see  also  Beveridge, 
Mrs.  Andrew. 

Martin,   Mrs.   Margaret,    256. 

Matteson,    Clarence,    197;   Eli,    197. 

Maxwell,  Colen,  184,  190;  Jennie 
Elizabeth,  178;  John  Elder,  244; 
Mary,  100. 

Mead,   Bert  V.,   198. 

Mead,   Gordon  V.,   198. 

Medicines,   268,    281. 

Melvin,   Ann,   175  ;   James,    175. 

Mendota,  111.,  railroad,   44. 

Mercer,  Alvin  (2),  200,  201;  David 
Smith  (1),  199;  Glen  (3),  201; 
Harold  (3),  201;  Howard  (3), 
201;  Ida  Belle  (2),  200,  201;  Iona 
(3),  200;  Ivan  (3),  201;  Jennie 
(2),  200,  201;  John  (2),  200, 
201;  Joseph  (2),  199,  200;  Mark 
(3),  201;  Myrtle  (3),  200;  Ray- 
mond (3),  201;  Robert,  199;  Rob- 
ert James  (2),  200;  Samuel  (2), 
200,  201;  Smith,  Elder,  67,  71: 
Thomas  (2),  200;  William  Moffett 
(2),  200,  201. 

Merritt,  David,  46,  245-247,  250. 

Mesing,   John,    104. 

Micklemox,  Scotland,  182. 

Middleton,  Peter,  355;  signature,  344. 

Mighell,  Ruel  Horace,  and  family,  135. 

Millennium,  Doctrine  of,  53. 

Miller,  Mrs.  ,  84. 

Miller,  Mrs.  Amanda,  see  Mrs.  J.  P. 
M. ;  Asa,  235  ;  Charlotte.  119  ;  Dan- 
iel, 159;  Mrs.  Eliza,  254;  Eliza- 
beth, 264,  291 ;  Florence,  193  ;  Rev. 
James  P.,  17,  259,  264,  288,  291, 
296;  Mrs.  James  P.  (Amanda), 
259     204. 

Milliman,   Mehitabel,    110. 

Missionaries,   72. 

Mitchell,  Annie,  165;  Mrs.  E.  J.,  72 
255;  Ebenezer  E.,  150,  255;  Mrs 
Ebenezer  E.  (Sarah  L.  T.  Henry) 
150,  portrait,  149;  Edith,  165 
Elsie,  72;  Rev.  Elzie  R.,  171 
Emma  Bede,  171 ;  J.  Maude,  165 
John  P.,  165;  Mrs.  Margaretta 
257  ;  Mary  Ann,  255  ;  Oliver,  255 
Robert,  170;  Sara  E.,  171;  Wil- 
liam, 165,   255,   257. 

Moffatt,   see  Moffett. 

Moffett,  Helen  M.  (3),  202;  Hugh 
R.,  202  ;  John  (1),  201 ;  Wallace  B. 
(3),  202;  Maj.  William  P.  (3), 
202,  203  ;  Rev.  William  T.,  D.D., 
51,   161,   187,  202;   pastor,   66  ff . ; 


portrait,    66;   tablet,    73;   Mrs.    W. 

T.     (Jennie   M.    Robb),    202,    253; 

Mrs.   W.   T.    (Elizabeth   Shepherd), 

202. 
Monaghan  County,  Ireland,  124,  207, 

356. 
Moncrief,   Hugh,   89. 
Money,   19,   292. 
Montgomery,      Alexander,      297      ff . ; 

Nicolina,  356. 
Moody,  John,  184. 

Moore,  Albert,  158;  Ella,  158;  Gor- 
don,   141;    John,    158;    Ralph    P., 

141 ;  Robert,  141. 
Moorehead,  William,   255. 
Mor,  Alexander,  168  ;  Angus,  168. 
More,     James,     252 ;     Mrs.     James 

(Maria),     252;     James     (1),     203, 

234;  James  Irwin  (2),  iii,  203,  204  ; 

Joseph     (2),    203;    Margaret    Jane 

(2),  140,   203;  Sara  E.    (2),  203; 

Wallace   (2),  203. 
Mormons,    284. 
Morris,    Frank,    256. 
Morrison,   Ella    (4),   205;   John    (2), 

204;   John    (4),    205;   Mary  Agnes 

(3),   205;  Thomas    (2),   204,  205; 

Willa   (4),  205;  William   (1),  204; 

William  John    (3),    205. 
Morrow,    A.    J.,    165. 
Morton,  Vella  M.,   125. 
Mott,   Peter,   230. 

Necthans,   The,   347. 

Nelson,  Deborah,  212  ;  Elizabeth,  103  ; 
Hannah,  184 ;  Jane,  191 ;  John, 
109 ;  John  Rogers,  184 ;  Joseph, 
103,  104,  192,  212;  William  T., 
205. 

Nesbett,   ,   letter,    265. 

Nesbitt,  Mrs.   ,  see  Guthrie,  Mrs. 

William. 

Nesbitt,  Elizabeth,  209,  356  ff . ;  John, 
356;  Mrs.  John  (Elizabeth),  356; 
Martha,  208,  351,  352,  see  also 
Patten,  Mrs.  William  (3)  ;  Dr.  R.( 
356;  Robert,  356;  Thomas,  356; 
see  also  Nisbet. 

New   Perth,   see  Salem,   N.   Y. 

New  York   Colony,   2. 

New  York  Province  Council  reports, 
301  ff. 

Newark  Station,  44,  213. 

Newell,  Esther,  354;  Gen.  Timothy, 
354. 

Newry,  Ireland,  3. 

Nichol,  A.   H.,   and  family,   139. 

Nichols,    Phoebe,    218;   WiUiam,    215. 

Nighswonger,  Mary  L.,  112. 

Niles,   Mich.,    354. 

Nisbet,  Elizabeth,  145  ;  see  also  Nes- 
bett. 

Nithsdale,   Scotland,  161. 

Norcross,  Hiram,  150,  portrait,  149; 
James,  150,  portrait,  149 ;  Sara, 
150,  portrait,  149;  William  C, 
150;  portrait,  149;  Mrs.  William 
C.  (Isabella  B.  Henry),  150,  por- 
trait,   149. 

Norton,  Finette,  193. 


368 


INDEX 


Oak  Mound  Cemetery,  21,  246,  251, 
294;    view,    20. 

Ohlen,  Arent  H.  Van,  186. 

Oliver,  ,  148  ;  Agnes,  229  ;  Rob- 
ert, 227  ;  Robert,  elder,  244. 

Olsen,  Harry  E.,  83  ;  Sterling  M.,  83. 

Orangemen,    207. 

Oregon,    291,    296. 

Orr,  David  (1),  174,  206,  252;  Mrs. 
David  (Elizabeth  McCleery),  252; 
David  (2),  206;  Ellen  (2),  206; 
James  Doig  (2),  105,  206,  207; 
John  S.  (2),  206;  Levi  R.  (2), 
206;  Mary  Ann  (2),  206;  Mary 
Ella  (3),  207;  Minnie,  portrait, 
149;  Minnie  J.  (4),  207;  Sarah 
Jane  (2),  206;  Sarah  M.,  122, 
207;  Smith  (2),  206;  William  (2), 
206. 

Osburn,   Rev.   William,   24,   25. 

Oswald,  Ann,  144. 

Ottawa  Road,  38. 

Overbaugh,    Mary,   196. 

Ovett,   Clark,   149. 

Owen,  Arthur  K.  (7),  164;  Charles 
A.,  165;  Kirk,  164;  Mary,  165; 
John  W.    (7),   164. 

Oxen,   15,   17. 

Page,    Josiah,    89. 

Panic   of    1857,    55. 

Parsonage,   The,   pi.,    70. 

Passenger  lists,   326  ff. 

Pathead,    Scotland,    88. 

Patten  family,  207  ff .  ;  coat  of 
arms,  207;  Agnes  (7),  223; 
Mrs.  Agnes  Beveridge  Patten,  see 
Patten,  Mrs.  Alexander  R. ;  Al- 
bert Edward  (7),  215;  Alexander 
R.  (5),  23,  24,  47,  210,  221,  let- 
ters, 270  ff.,  portrait,  210,  222, 
postmaster,  46,  store,  38,  247, 
tablet,  74,  temperance,  250  ;  Mrs. 
Alexander  R.  (Agnes  Beveridge), 
221,  portrait,  149,  222;  Alex- 
ander R.  (6),  218,  219;  Alice 
Lovica  (6),  221;  Anna  Mary  (6), 
218,  portrait,  218 ;  Catherine  M., 
251;  Charles  H.  (7),  219;  Charles 
J.  (6),  218,  portrait,  218;  Edward 
Moses  (6),  portrait,  94,  214,  215; 
Eleanor  Livingston  (5),  210;  Eliza- 
beth, 251  ;  Elizabeth  Pratt  see 
Mrs.  William  (5)  Patten;  Eliza- 
beth Clark  (4),  209  ;  Ethel  A.,  215  ; 
Frederick  L.  (6),  218;  George  W. 
(6),  223,  cemetery,  215,  portrait, 
224;  Gilbert  R.  (6),  221;  Grace 
Jane  (7),  216;  Hannah  (3),  208; 
Helen  Martha  (6),  221;  Henry  J. 
(6),  75,  93,  223,  224,  portrait, 
224,  250,  351  ;  James  of  County 
Monaghan,  207;  James  (2),  208; 
James  (3),  208;  James  (4),  209, 
210,  227,  352;  Mrs.  James  (Mary 
Robertson),  209,  210,  221,  227, 
284,  353,  charter  member,  233, 
portrait,  21  0,  tablet,  74  ;  James  A. 
(6),   222,  223,    250,   351,   portrait, 


149,  224,  tablet,  74;  Mrs.  James 
A.,  223,  portrait,  149;  James  C, 
251;  James  Miller  (6),  214,  283; 
Jennie  M.,  215,  author,  ix,  por- 
trait, ix,  94,  218;  John  (3),  208; 
John  (4),  208;  John  Lourie  (7), 
223;  Julia  F.  (6),  221;  Margaret 
(4),  209;  Martha  Nesbitt  (5),  23, 
211,  221,  260,  letter,  268,  school, 
284,  Mary,  251;  Mary  (3  James 
2),  208;  Mary  (4  William  3), 
209;  Mary  (4  James  3),  208; 
Mary  Catherine  (6),  220,  236, 
244;  Mary  Louise  (7),  215;  Mrs. 
Mary  (Robertson)  see  Patten,  Mrs. 
James;  Rhoda  Violet  (7),  224; 
Richard  of  Patten  House,  207  ;  Rob- 
ert (4  James  3),  208;  Robert  (4 
William  3),  209;  Robert  (5),  23, 
24,  210,  219,  portrait,  218,  tablet, 
74,  temperance,  251;  Sarah  Eliza- 
beth, 215;  Dr.  Simon  Nelson  (6), 
215,  216,  portrait,  94;  Simon  New- 
comb  (6),  214;  Thomas  Beveridge 
(6),  223,  224, portrait,  224;  Thomas 
Beveridge  (7),  223;  William  (1), 
208;  William  (3),  208,  351,  352; 
William  (4),  208;  William  (5),  210, 
211,  California,  40,  charter  mem- 
ber, 22,  Civil  War,  214,  elder,  71, 
letters,  276  ff.,  1st  marriage,  212, 
2d  marriage,  217,  portrait,  24, 
ruling  elder,  22,  213,  senator,  213, 
tablet,  73,  temperance,  250  ;  Mrs. 
William  (Elizabeth  N.  Pratt),  212, 
charter  member,  22,  letters,  283 
ff.,  portrait,  210,  tablet,  74  ;  Mrs. 
William  (Jane  Somes),  217;  por- 
trait, 210  ;  William  David  (7),  215  ; 
William  H.  (7),  219;  William  L. 
(6),  223;  William  Robert  (8), 
219;  William  Somes   (6),  218,  219. 

Patten  Mausoleum,  20. 

Paul,    Jean,    175 ;    John,    see    Jones, 
J.  P. 

Paw  Paw  Grove,   111.,   144. 

Pepper,  Lois,   93. 

Perth,   Scotland,   84. 

Peterhead,   Scotland,   227,  352. 

Phillips,    Rev.    Elam,    229. 

Pierce,     Christopher,    254. 

Pioneer   life,    27    ff.,    296. 

Pioneers  of  Somonauk,  14  ff. 

"Pioneers   of  the   West,"    358. 

Piatt,    Charily,    93. 

Pleasants,    Mary   Frances,    233. 

Plows,    17. 

Plymouth,   Mass.,    212. 

Pollock,  John,   118;  Nancy,  118,  por- 
trait,   134;   Rev.    R.,    15,    22,    24. 

Poplin,     Carrie,     151,    portrait,     149 ; 
Jessie,  portrait,   149  ;  William,    246. 

Post,    Owen   L.,    220. 

Post  Office,   39,   246. 

Postage,    14. 

Potter,   Andrew  J.,    250. 

"Prairie    Schooners,"    32. 

Prairies,  The,  16,   27. 


369 


INDEX 


Pratt,  Catherine,  253  ;  Catherine  S., 
250 ;  Colin,  250 ;  Eleanor  Craw- 
ford, 24,  270,  letter,  270;  Eliza- 
beth Nelson,  212,  270,  see  also 
Patten,  Mrs.  William;  Emily,  260; 
Jane  H.,  250;  Joshua,  212;  Lydia, 
260;  Mary,  260;  Mary  L.,  252; 
Moses,  260  ;  Sarah  M.,  260  ;  Simon 
Newcomb,  212 ;  Mrs.  Simon  N., 
212. 

Presbyterian  Church  in  America,  51, 
247 ;  see  also  names  of  churches 
and  clergymen. 

Price,  James,   250;  Simon,   246. 

Prices,   284. 

Protestants,   231. 

Protzman,  Robert  Dale,   221. 

Psalm  singing,  35. 

Radley,  Mrs.  Ellen,   254,   256. 

Railroads,    44    ff. 

Randies,  Rev.  A.  J.,  71  ;  Alexander 
(3),  225;  Andrew,  elder,  245; 
Andrew  (1),  224;  Andrew  (2), 
225;  Andrew  (3),  225;  Andrew 
(4),  67,  72,  225;  Andrew  (6), 
226;  Anna  (6),  226;  Elizabeth 
(2),  225;  Hugh  (2),  225;  Hugh 
(3),  25;  James  (3),  225;  Jane 
(3),  225;  Jane  (4),  124;  John 
(2),  225;  Margaret  (3),  225; 
Martha  (2),  225;  Martha  (6), 
226;  Martha  Ann,  159;  Martha 
Jane  (4),  225;  Mary  Jeannette 
(5),  177,  226;  Phoebe  (2),  225; 
Roy  (6),  226;  William  (2),  225; 
William  (3),  225;  William  John 
(5),  72,  226,  237,  portrait,  149. 

Raymond,  Helen,  95;  Lourie,  95; 
Samuel  B.,   95;  William,   95. 

Read,  Duncan,  355,  memorial,  306, 
signature,   344. 

Reed,    Jennie,    100;   Janet,    194. 

Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  128; 
see  also  Somonauk. 

Reid,  Laura,  256;  Sarah,  160. 

Reiser,   Jacob,    215. 

Religious  revival,    261. 

Reutzer,  Ella,   95. 

Revolutionary  War,  127,  183,  sol- 
diers,  162. 

Reynoldsburg,  O.,  105,  115,  133. 

Rich,    Mary,    235. 

Richey,  Frank,   72. 

Richmond  (Ind.)  United  Presbyterian 
Church,   126. 

Riddle  family,   145. 

Roads,    32. 

Robb,  Hugh,  202 ;  Jennie  Morrison, 
202. 

Robertson,  Agnes,  91,  portrait,  149  ; 
Anna  P.  (Henry)  see  Robertson, 
Mrs.  William;  Daniel  (3),  228; 
Duncan,  44 ;  Eleanor,  227 ;  Gil- 
bert, Elder,  244;  Gilbert  (1),  227; 
Rev.  G.  H.,  239,  portrait,  149; 
Mrs.  G.  H.,  85;  Henry,  228;  Isa- 
bel   (Williamson)    see  Mrs.  William; 


James  (1),  229;  James  (2),  227; 
John,  elder,  244;  John  (1),  228; 
John  (2),  227;  John  (3),  228; 
Margaret  Isabel,  227;  Mary  (2), 
210,  portrait,  210,  352;  Mary  (4), 
227;  Mary  Jane,  238;  Mary  Liv- 
ingston, 149,  351;  Millie,  portrait, 
149;  Moses,  211,  244;  Robert 
Andrew  (3),  229;  Robert  Oliver1 
(3),  230;  Rufus,  227;  William  (2 
John  1),  228,  charter  member,  23, 
tablet,  74  ;  Mrs.  William  (Isabel 
Williamson),  charter  member,  23, 
tablet,  74;  William  (3  James  2), 
230;  Mrs.  William  (Anna  P. 
Henry),  81,  230,  portrait,  149; 
William  (3  John  2),  227,  352, 
357;  William  (4  William  3),  210, 
227;  William  J.  (4),  230,  portrait, 
149;  William  Russel  (3),  228. 
Robeson,   Jeannette,    194-5. 

Robinson,    ,    74,    246 ;    Benjamin, 

176  ;  Duncan,  194  ;  Elizabeth  Jane, 
113;  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  256;  Isabella, 
93;  Isabelle,  176;  Ithamer,  257; 
J.  H.,  Ill ;  James,  257 ;  James 
McClurg  (3),  176;  Jean  Elizabeth, 
176;  Lee,  175;  Margaret,  176; 
Margaret  I.,  255;  Mary,  192; 
Mary  A.,  256;  Miles,  111,  256; 
Thomas  Henderson,  72,  175. 
Roff,  Arvilla,   254. 

Rogers,   Isabel,    212;   Rev.   John,    212. 
Root,    A.    D.,    251  ;    James,    9,    tablet, 

74;    Reuben,    246;    William,    251. 
Ross,    Luella,    160. 
Ross'   Grove,   31. 

Ross'     Grove      (111.)     United     Presby- 
terian   Church,    144,    147. 
Routes  of  Travel,   26,  45. 
Rowley,    Lavill,    158. 
Royal  Grants,   297. 
Rugg,   Joseph,   346. 
Ruling     Elders,      Argyle      Presbytery, 

244. 
Runaway  slaves,   58   ff. 
Russell,  James,  171. 
Ryegate,    Vt.,    86. 

Sabbath    observance,    5,    7,    15,    32. 

St.   Clair,  Ethel,  187. 

Salem,   N.   Y.,    4,    244. 

Salem  Associate  Church,  128,  357. 

Salem  Book,   The,   243,    357. 

Samson,    Rev.    A.   A.,    187. 

Sandwich,   111.,   founding  of,    44. 

Savage,  Alexander  (3),  354;  Hon. 
Edward  (2),  350,  353;  Mrs.  Ed- 
ward (Mary  McNaughton),  354; 
Elizabeth,  212;  James,  357;  Jane 
(3),  354;  Capt.  John  (1),  212, 
353;  Hon.  John  (3),  354;  Laura 
Wheeler  (4),  354;  Mary  Ann  (4), 
354;  Mrs.  Margaret  McClaughrey, 
357. 

Sawmill,    213. 

Scales,    Lucy,    238. 

Schiver,   Emma   A.,    250. 


370 


INDEX 


Schmidt,  Dr.  O.  L.,  address  on  "Un- 
derground Railroad,"  57 ;  dedica- 
tion,   75. 

School   books,    260. 

School  house  (near  Beveridges),  34, 
145,    pi.,    70. 

Schools,  5,  246,  249;  Lake,  N.  Y„ 
261,   269. 

Schuller,   Rev.   James,   244. 

Scotch-Irish,    1    ff. 

Scotch    Presbyterian    Church,    2. 

Scotland,   Emigrants  from,   243. 

Scott,   Ella,   194. 

Scott,    James,    212,    221. 

Seaton,    Cora,    126. 

Sebree,   William,   246. 

"Seceder"  Church  at  Somonauk,   51. 

Seely,    Amelia   Dean,    138. 

Selkirk,  Lord,   183. 

Seymour,    Daniel,    221  ;    Martha,    224. 

Shabbona,  Chief,  247-249. 

Shabbona  Station,  111.,   144. 

Shankland,  Alice  (3),  230;  Eliza- 
beth (2),  24,  230;  James  (2), 
230;  Jannet,  24;  John  (1),  230; 
Dr.  John  (2),  22,  230,  charter 
member,  24,  death,  25,  tablet,  74 ; 
Margaret  (2),  24,  230;  Mrs.  M.  E., 
230;  Moses  (2),  230;  Nettie  (3), 
230;  Perry    (3),   230. 

Shaw,  Alexander,  353;  Isaac,  244; 
Elizabeth,  90;  James,  244,  352, 
353;  Mrs.  James,  351;  John,  352; 
Sarah,  petition,  338-40;  William 
Gilkerson,    141. 

Shelby,   Wilson  A.,   255. 

Shepherd,  Elizabeth,  202. 

Shields,   Ann,    90. 

Shipman,   Lucy,    186. 

Shockley,    Arka,    103. 

Sibley,    Catherine,    220 ;   John,    220. 

Sickness,    17,    269. 

Simpson,  Alexander,  Sr.,  191  ;  Eliza- 
beth,   191. 

Singing  and  Singing  Schools,  35,  259, 
261. 

Sinty,  Rose,  149. 

Skenesborough  Patent,  349. 

Skinner,  Alexander,  122,  244 ;  Alta 
Grace,  187;  Mary  Ann,  122. 

Slavery,    57   ff. 

Sly,    Joseph,    246;   William,    246. 

Smailholm,  Scotland,  156. 

Small,  James,   86,   244. 

Smiley,  Elizabeth,  147;  James,  147; 
Ruth,    162. 

Smith,    Rev.    ,    13;    George,    169; 

William,    169. 

Somerled,  Thane  of  Argyle,  168. 

Somes,  Jane,  217;  see  also  Patten, 
Mrs.  William  (5);  Jonas,  218; 
Timothy,    218. 

Somonauk  Associate  Church,  54  ;  see 
also  S.  United  Presbyterian   Church. 

Somonauk  Associate  Reformed  Presby- 
terian Church,   54,  247. 

Somonauk  Cemetery  Association,   251. 

Somonauk  Corners,  DeKalb  Co.,  111., 
221. 


Somanauk  Creek,   9. 

Somonauk  Reformed  Presbyterian 
Church,    52-54,    247. 

Somonauk  Station,  44. 

Somonauk  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  29,  33,  50  ff.,  145,  161, 
358;  baptisms,  246;  Beveridge 
cabin,  15;  buildings,  15,  22,  49, 
67;  charter  members,  22,  23,  73, 
74  ;  division,  52  ;  doctrines,  51  ;  first 
service,  15;  hard  times,  56;  loca- 
tion, 1;  members,  257;  organized, 
22,  246  ;  records,  22  ff.,  66  ff. ;  "Se- 
ceder" church  51  ;  session  book,  22, 
67 ;  tablet  dedicated,  73  ;  trustees, 
68  ;   union,    54  ;   view,    20. 

South  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  244;  church,  7, 
296. 

Southwestern   Plank  Road,   30. 

South  wick,  Benjamin,  346 ;  Samuel, 
346. 

Speer,  Rev.  Joseph  A.,  installed,  70, 
71;  Walter,  111. 

Squatters'  Rights,   295. 

Squaw  Grove,   122,   163. 

Stage   Road  to   Dixon,    13. 

Stahl,    Mrs.    Elizabeth,    252. 

Stakemiller,  John,   250. 

Stauffer,  Mary,  166. 

Sterrett's    Mill,    213. 

Stevenson,  Robert,  166;  William,  167, 
352. 

Stewart,  Alexander  M.   (7),  232,  por- 
trait, 149  ;  Mrs.  Alexander  M.,  232 
portrait,    149;    Annette     (7),    109 
232;    Elijah     (6),     23,    231,     252 
Mrs.    Elijah     (May    Stewart),    231 
252;  Elizabeth  Mary   (8),  125,  126 
233;    Emeline    A.     (7),    186,    232 
Ernest  William    (8),    233;   Frances 
(8),    233;   Rev.    James    (7),    232 
John     (1),    231;    Mary     (6),     199, 
231;    Mary     (7),    104,     232,     252. 
see    also    Boyd,    Mrs.    John ;    Mary 
(Stewart),  231;  Rebecca   (7),  232 
Robert  (2),  231;  Samuel  (3),  231 
Samuel    J.,     72;     Sarah    Ann     (7) 
232,    252;  William    (5),  231;  Wil- 
liam   (7),  232,  233. 

Still,  Mrs.  Ann,  255  ;  Henry,  170. 

Stinson,  Charles  Ellsworth,  112  ;  Wil- 
liam T.,   257. 

Stoffregen,  Mathilde  C,  82. 

Stokes,  Maude,   153. 

Stone,  Henry,   250. 

Stonebridge,  Ireland,  210. 

Stores,  221;  Patten's,  39. 

Storrs,   Sophronia,   235. 

Stott,  Elija,  111  ;  see  also  Dobbin, 
Mrs.  David  Miller,  3d;  Jane  H., 
125  ;  Jonathan,  111  ;  Margaret, 
234;    Sarah,    259. 

Stott,  John,  elder,   244. 

Strathmiglo,    Scotland,    84. 

Strauraer,    Scotland,    175. 

Strong,  Letitia,  202. 

Stuart,  Charles  Edward  ("Bonny 
Prince   Charlie"),    210. 

Stuart  Uprising,   The,   2. 


371 


INDEX 


Sushan    (N.    Y.)    United   Presbyterian 

Church,    108. 
Sweetland,  Col.  Bowen,  211  ;  Dr.  Wm, 

210,   251;  Mrs.  W.  M.    (Martha  N. 

Patten),    210,   251. 
Sweetman,    Rev.    Joseph,    354. 
Sybrandt,  John,   209. 
Symmes,    Elizabeth,    117. 

Tablet,  dedication,   73. 

Tappan,    N.   Y.,    349,    350. 

Taverns,  Devine's,   46. 

Taylor,  Duncan,  195,  350,  352;  John, 
352;  Margaret,  3  50;  Margaret 
Jane,  142  ;  Mary,  195  ;  Mary  Stuart, 
119. 

Telford,  Francis,  114  ;  Mrs.  Ann 
(Dobbin),  113,  charter  member, 
22,  23,  74;  James,  114;  William, 
114. 

Temperance  Society,   247,   250. 

Templeton,    Rev.    James,    15. 

Terry,   James,    81. 

Thompson,     .     346;     Betty    Jean, 

171;  Eliza,  120;  Eliza  (2),  234; 
George,  346;  Hugh,  244;  James, 
181;  Janet,  182;  John,  171; 
Joseph,  25,  252;  Joseph  A.  (1), 
120,  234;  Leroy,  171;  Margaret, 
171,  185,  252,  352,  353;  Mar- 
garet Stott,  111;  Margaretta,  250; 
Marie  P.  (2),  234;  Marie  T.,  203; 
Mary,  188;  Mary  G.,  171;  Sarah, 
186;  Rev.  Samuel,  147;  William, 
181;  William,    244. 

Thomson,    Hugh,    175;   Jean,    174. 

Thornberg,   Margaret,    199. 

Timms,  Eugia,  164. 

Todd,   Andrew,    224;   Phoebe,    224. 

Tories,    86. 

Torrance,  Rebecca,  232. 

Trade  and  Commerce,   36. 

Trades  and  Crafts,   37,   84. 

Tragar,    Mary,    230. 

Transportation  by   wagon,   30. 

Travel,  methods  of,  45. 

Tremont    House,     Chicago,    30. 

Trible,    Isaac,    164. 

Truesdale,   Julia  A.,   232. 

Truro    (O.)    Associate  Church,    128. 

Tucker,  Ann  Eliza,  237;  Henry, 
251  ;  Nathan,  237. 

Turnbull,  Rev.  James  S.,  150;  Mrs. 
Lily  Henry,  portrait,  149  ;  Mag- 
dalen W.,   187. 

Turner,  Alexander,  346;  Alexander, 
Jr.,   346  ;  James,   4,   346. 

Turner,   Junction,   111.,    44,    163. 

Turner  Patent,  4,  346 ;  see  also 
Clark,  Rev.  Thomas,   M.  D. 

Tuttle,  Daniel,  254;  Mrs.  Margaret, 
254;  Milo,  192;  Philo  P.,  250; 
Willis,    201. 

Twenhold,   Scotland,   183. 

Underground    Railroad,    57    ff. 
United    Presbyterian    Church,    1,    22, 
247  ;  see  also  names  of  places. 


Van  Antwerp,  Samuel  C,  101. 
Van   Dam,   Gov.   Rip,   209. 
Van   Natta,   John,    169. 
Van  Winkle,  Mary,  354. 
Vance,    Edward   H.,    106. 
Vincent,  Rev.  George,  15. 

Wages,    296. 

Wagons,   36. 

Walker,  Edward  (4),  237;  Elizabeth 
(4),  237;  George  (3),  235;  Helen 
(3),  235;  Helen  (4),  236;  Henry 
(4),  236;  James  (1),  263;  James 
(2),  charter  member,  23,  25,  74, 
235;  James  (3),  235,  death,  286; 
James  A.,  179;  Janet  (3),  235; 
Janet  (4),  236;  John,  49;  John 
(1),  235;  John  (3),  235,  236; 
charter  member,  22,  23,  74,  por- 
trait, 236;  Mrs.  John  (Nancy 
Walls),  charter  member,  22,  23, 
74;  John  (4),  236;  Mary  (3), 
235;  Oliver  (4),  236;  Robert,  3, 
235;  Robert  (4),  236,  246;  Rose- 
anna  (4),  236;  Thomas,  235; 
Washington,  44  ;  William  James 
(4),   163,  236. 

Wallace,   Dr.    David   A.,    51,    68. 

Walls,  Catharine,  156,  252,  see  also 
Howison,  Mrs.  William  (2)  ;  Mar- 
garet, 263  ;  Nancy,  236,  see  also 
Mrs.  John    (3)  Walker. 

Ward,  Harvey,  250. 

Warner,  Albert,  113  ;  Bessie,  155. 

Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  244  ;  fam- 
ilies, 22,  23,  258  ff.,  297  ff.,  347 
ff. ;  map,   7 ;   Scotch  in,   1. 

Water    cure,    290. 

Waterman    Presbyterian    Church,    53. 

Watson,  Mrs.  Esther,  256  ;  James  A., 
197;  Martha  Ruth,  197;  William, 
148. 

Weather,   88. 

Weavers,   84. 

Weber,   A.   E.,    181. 

Weigle,  Daniel,  193. 

Wells,  Leonard,  253  ;  Lucy,  253  ; 
Mary,   253  ;  William   P.,   253. 

Welsh,    Elizabeth,    130. 

Wentworth,  Hon.  John,  44. 

West,  The,  8. 

West  Hebron,  N.  Y.,  244. 

West  Hebron  (N.  Y.)  Associate 
Presbyterian   Church,   89. 

Westfall,  A.,  251;  Charles  H.,  250; 
L.   M.,   251. 

Wheat,  36,  37,   284. 

Wheatland,    111.,    31. 

Wheeler,  Charles  Pinckney,  224  ; 
Henry  Patten  (8),  224;  Leslie, 
222;  Leslie   (8),  224;  Ruth,  354. 

White,  Alexander,  155  ;  Alexander 
(3),  238;  Mrs.  Alexander  (Eliza 
Howison),  237;  Charles  H.  (4), 
72,  237,  238,  portrait,  149;  Mrs. 
Charles  H.,  portrait,  149 ;  White, 
Effie  D.  (5),  239;  Ella  J.  (5),  239; 
Emily  (4),  226,  237;  Eugene  T. 
(5),   238;  Frank    (5),  239;  Henry 


372 


INDEX 


J.  (5),  238;  Hampton  (4),  150, 
237,  238,  portrait,  149;  Mrs. 
Hampton  (Margaret  E.  Henry), 
150,  238,  portrait,  149;  Jeannette 
K.  (5),  238;  John  (4),  238;  Mar- 
garet (Henry),  see  Mrs.  Hampton 
White;  Martha,  portrait,  149; 
Mary  E.  (5),  238,  portrait,  149; 
Dr.  Max  S.,  81;  Puella  (5),  81, 
237;  Robert  (3),  237;  Robert  (4), 
237;  Robert  E.  (5),  238;  Dr. 
Solon,  81 ;  Thomas,  346 ;  Thomas 
(1),  237;  Thomas  (3),  237; 
Thomas  (5),  238;  William  W.  (5), 
238. 

White'  Church,  Salem,  N.  Y.,  243. 

Whitelaw,    James,    89. 

Whitney,   Edward  D.,    192. 

Wilcox,    Ellsworth    E.,    186;    Daedda, 
96;  Hoyt  J.,   186. 

"Wild  Cat  Currency,"   55. 

Williams,  Jennie,  238  ;  Jessie  E.  Daw- 
son,   152. 


Williamson,  Daniel,  133,  228 ;  Fan- 
nie, 129 ;  Isabelle,  see  Robertson, 
Mrs.  William;  Sarah,   132,   133. 

Wilson,  Alex.  251;  Melinda,  250; 
Walter    R.,    125. 

Winne,  John,    354. 

Winter,  Albert  C,  149,  171,  portrait, 
149;  Anna  Lydia,  149,  portrait, 
149;  Eva,  165;  Henry  M.,  149, 
portrait,  149;  Mrs.  Henry  M. 
(Anna  M.  Henry),  149,  portrait, 
149;  James  Henry,  portrait,  149; 
Jennette,  portrait,  149 ;  Martha, 
portrait,    149 ;    William,    149. 

Witherspoon,    F.   N.,    250. 

Wood,  Ella,  106;  Mary  A.,  105;  Min- 
nie,   255  ;   Samantha,    250. 

Wood    Creek,    N.    Y.,    349. 

Worth,    Mary,    185. 

Wright,  Ailleen,  83 ;  Stephen,  por- 
trait, 149 ;  Mrs.  Stephen,  portrait, 
149. 

Yates,   Florence,   198. 


373 


ADDITIONS  AND  CORRECTIONS 

Page  5.  Relative  to  Sabbath  weddings  J.  M.  P.  writes:  "I  never  heard 
of  a  wedding  among  the  United  Presbyterians  on  that  day.  During 
all  the  years  I  lived  at  home  we  never  entertained,  nor  were  enter- 
tained, nor  went  riding  for  pleasure  on  the  Sabbath."  Mr.  Graham 
writes  that  marriages  on  the  Sabbath  were  against  the  law  of  the 
church. 

Page  45,  first  line  "Firman"  should  read — Furman. 


rage  qo,  nrst  line  "rirman"  snouia  reaa — 
Page  47,  line  6,  "1853"  should  read— 1854 
Pap-e  68.  The  "Donation  Visit"   resulted   i 


Page  68.  The  "Donation  Visit"  resulted  in  $188  cash,  butter  for  the 
minister's  family,  grain  for  the  horse,  and  other  commodities. 

Page  80.  ARMSTRONG.  After  "iii.  Dr.  Thomas"  add  the  words — born 
in  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  May  6,    1806}   died  in  Sandwich,  111.,  Oct.   29, 
1887. 
For  "Robert  (4)  Carr,"  read— George  (4)  Carr. 

Page  81.  After  "iii.  John  Alexander  (3),"  add — born  July  17,  1847} 
died  Dec.  20,  1921  j  married  second  Isabelle  Cole,  born  July  4,  1848. 
Children:  i.  Jean  Elizabeth  (4), born  Dec.  18,  1876}  ii.  Margaret  M., 
born  Aug.  22,  1878}  iii.  William  K.,  born  Oct.  13,  1880,  died  Sept. 
15,  1927}  iv.  Charles  S.,  born  Sept.  22,  1882,  died  Aug.  21,  1887. 
v.  Grace  L.,  born  Sept.  25,  1884,  died  Dec.  26,  1885. 

i.  William  W.  (4).  Child:  i.  Donald  James  (5),  born  Apr.  2, 
1905.  "iii.  D.  Le  Roy"  should  read— Child:  i.  David  Henry  (5), 
born  Jan.   10,   1925. 

Page  91.  The  World's  War  soldiers  referred  to  were  William  J.  and 
Robert  H.  Cole,  sons  of  Robert  J.  and  Margaret  Beveridge  Cole,  of 
Somonauk  congregation.  Their  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Andrew 
[L.]  (3)  Beveridge,  a  son  of  Alexander  (2).  The  family  removed 
to  Canada  in   1906. 

Page  92.  BEVERIDGE.    Under  "iii.  Thomas  George,"  add, 
Children: 
i.  William  George  (4),  born  July  30,    1853}   died  Dec.  2,   1902} 
married  Ella  Mary  Finley,  Dec.   15,   1880}  children:  i.  Mar- 
garet Helen  (5),  married  Ralph  J.  Howison.    (See  page  157.) 
ii.  Infant  son,  born  Mar.  20,  1884,  died  Mar.  24.    iii.  Thomas 
F.,  M.  D.,  of  Chicago}  iv.  Eleanor  M.;  v.  Elizabeth,  married 
May  24,  1916,  Erwin  F.  Dudley.   Child:  i.  Ella  Mary, 
ii.  James  Hoy,  born  May  2,  1856}  died  Apr.  27,  1857. 

1 


ADDITIONS  AND  CORRECTIONS 

iii.  Anna  Margaret,  born  May  27,  1858;  married  Ralph  R.  Brown, 
1881  ;  living  in  San  Francisco,  Cal.  Child:  Bess,  married  J.  R. 
Walker,  Aug.,    1914.    Child:  i.  Robert. 

Substitute  new  plate  to  face  page  92. 

Page   100.  i.  Ralph  (5),  born  Jan.    11,    1904;   ii.  Helen,  born  Jan.    10, 
1907. 

Page  10  7.  COLE.    See  Additions  for  page  91. 

Page  118.  FRENCH,  "i.  Jonathan  (7),"— born  1800,  died  at  Mon- 
mouth, 111.,    1870. 

"John  Blair  (6)"  add  to  children  by  second  marriage — i.  Rose- 
ann,  and  alter  numbers. 

Page  119.  Under  "Albert  C.  (9)"  omit  the  words  "They  reside  in  Chi- 
cago" and  add — Mrs.  French  died  in  Oak  Park,  111.,  Apr.  28,  1925. 
Add  to  list  of  their  children — v.  Lula  Agnes,  and  alter  succeeding 
numbers.  For  "iv.  Albert  Chanceller,"  read  Chancellor. 

Page  122.  Under  "v.  George  Beveridge"  add  the  date  of  death  of  Clara 
M.  (Kirkpatrick) — Oct.  27,  1891. 

For  "Sarah  M.  Orr,"  read — Sarah  L.  Orr,  living,  1928. 

Under  "vi.  Andrew  L.,"  change  "Agnes  (Stewart)  McBride,"  to 
— Rebecca  (S.)  McBride.  Add — For  McBride  Family  see  Additions 
and  Corrections,  below. 

Page  126.  GILCHRIST.  "Andrew  (3)"  should  read— Andrew  R.  (3), 
married,  second,  Jane  Elizabeth  Gray,  of  Ontario,  Canada,  a  sister 
of  Mrs.  W.  J.  Randies.  Child:  Irene  (4),  born  Jan.  30,  1902. 

Page  134.  GRAHAM.  "Lloyd  Lendrum  Johnson  (6)"  should  read 
—Floyd. 

Page  135.  For  "Thomas  Carlton,  born  Mar.  15"  read — Sept.   18. 

Page  137.  Add,  preceding  James  (4)  Graham: 

RUSSELL  (4)  GRAHAM,  D.  D.,  born  Feb.  24,  1847,  in  Franklin 
County,  Ohio;  died  June  11,  1925,  at  his  home  in  Monmouth,  111.; 
married,  Oct.  7,  18  73,  Elizabeth  Thompson,  born  Jan.  6,  1854;  died 
Oct.   14,   1914. 

Children: 

i.  Ralph  (5),  born  July  27,   18  75. 
ii.   Sarah  Frances,  born  Nov.    10,    1876. 
iii.  Roy,  born  Aug.  3,  1880. 
iv.  Jessie  Edith,  born  Oct.  9,  18  82. 
v.  Elizabeth,  born  Oct.  4,   1886. 
vi.  Robert  Hugh,  born  Dec.  28,  1892. 
vii.   Margaret  Ruth,  born  Aug.  2,  1894. 


% 

0*^ 

Rev.  Andrew  M.  Beveridge 


Mrs.  Andrew  M.  Beveridge 
(Sarah  Loo  mis) 


John  C.  Beveridge 


Mrs.  John  C.  Beveridge 
(Mary  Ann  McC Leery) 


ADDITIONS  AND  CORRECTIONS 

Russell  Graham  was  a  boy  three  years  old  when  he  came  with  his 
parents  to  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois.  He  was  graduated  from  Mon- 
mouth College  at  the  age  of  twenty-three,  and  three  years  later  from 
Xenia  Theological  Seminary,  Ohio.  He  at  once  became  the  settled 
pastor  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  at  Biggsville,  Illinois.  In 
the  twelve  years  that  he  remained  there  the  church  membership  in- 
creased from  eighty-eight  to  two  hundred  and  twenty-five.  In  1886 
he  was  appointed  to  the  chair  of  Social  Science  at  Monmouth  College 
and,  resigning  his  pastorate,  he  began  his  teaching  career  that  contin- 
ued thirty-nine  years.  For  eighteen  years  he  was  vice-president  and 
treasurer  of  the  college;  for  thirty-five  years  was  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Education  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  financial 
agent  of  the  Synod  of  Illinois  for  the  same  period.  All  his  life  he  was 
in  demand  as  a  preacher  on  occasions  of  importance,  but  the  profes- 
sion of  teaching  was  his  most  fruitful  field.  His  best  monument  is  the 
fact  that  hundreds  of  graduates  of  old  Monmouth  have  testified  by 
their  words  and  works  to  the  moral  and  spiritual  impress  of  his  char- 
acter upon  their  after  life. 

RALPH  (5)  GRAHAM,  born  July  27,   1875;  married  Ella  Griffith, 
June  25,  1913.  A  graduate  of  Monmouth  and  of  Rush  Medical  Col- 
lege, he  is  an  able  physician  in  Monmouth,  Illinois. 
Children: 
i.  Ruth  Elizabeth  (6),  born  June  25,  1915. 
ii.  Ralph,  Jr.,  born  Oct.  22,   1919. 
iii.   Margaret  Jane,  born  Aug.  7,   1921. 

SARAH  FRANCES  (5)  GRAHAM,born  Nov.  10,  1876;  on  June  28, 
1900,  was  united  in  marriage  with  Dr.  Harry  Howard  Hagey,  born 
Nov.  6,   18  73,  who  has  been  a  practicing  physician  for  thirty  years. 
They  reside  in  Chicago. 
Children: 
i.  Ruth  E.  (6),  born  Apr.  6,   1901. 
ii.  Russell  G.,  born  Nov.  23,   190  3. 
iii.  John  Franklin,  born  Nov.   12,  1905. 
iv.   Harry  H.,  born  Sept.   10,   1908. 

ROY  (5)   GRAHAM,  born  August  3,    1880;  died  March  24,    1903. 
He  was  a  graduate  of  Monmouth  and  studied  in  Rush  Medical  College. 

JESSIE   EDITH    (5)    GRAHAM,   born   October   9,    1882;    married 
William   Graham   Bryson,   October   7,    1907.    They  live  near  Xenia. 
Children: 
i.   Mary  E.  (6),  born  July  20,   1908. 
ii.   Frances,  born  Oct.  30,   1913. 
iii.  William  G.,  born  June  3,   1921. 

ELIZABETH   (5)   GRAHAM,  born  October  4,   1886,  is  a  graduate 
of  Monmouth  College  and  has  followed  teaching  as  a  profession. 


ADDITIONS  AND  CORRECTIONS 

ROBERT  HUGH  (5)  GRAHAM,  born  December  28,  1892;  in  1922 
married  Rachel  Converse,  born  February  4,  1895.  They  live  in 
Aurora,  Illinois.  Dr.  Graham  was  graduated  from  Monmouth  and 
from  Rush  Medical  College.  He  is  a  specialist  in  children's  diseases. 
Child:  i.  James  Converse,  born  July  26,  1927. 

MARGARET  RUTH  (5)  GRAHAM,  born  August  2,  1894,  married 
Harold  E.  Kelly,  June  21,   1921.  Both  are  graduates  of  Monmouth. 

Page  139.  For  "James  Robertson  Graham,  born  Oct.  9,"  read — Oct.  19. 

Page  143.  First  line  for  "Mary  McBurney,"  read — Anna  Cowden. 

Page  149.  HENRY,  line  16,  "1853"  should  read— 1854. 

Page   151.  For  "Brigadier-General  Wood,"  read— Ward. 

Change  line  25  to  read — Lieutenant  Henry  resigned  June  26,   1865. 
After  "i.  Frank  V.  A.  (5)"  add — married  Lulu  Dawson. 
Children:  i.  Jean  Irwin  (6);  ii.  Norma  Brown ;  iii.  Mildred  Hume. 
After  "Jessie  May"  add — married  John  W.  Youle,  who  died  June, 
1927.  Children:  i.  Helen;  ii.  John  W.,  Jr. 

Page  152.  After  "Lulu  Belle  (5)"  add— married  George  W.  Sherwood. 

Children:  i.  John  W. ;  ii.  Frances. 

Page  171.  McALLISTER.  For  "Ella,  Cecil,"  read— Ella  Cecil. 

Page  171.  Insert  to  follow  McAllister: 

THE  McBRIDE  FAMILY 

SAMUEL    (l)    McBRIDE,  born   about    1800;    married    Mary  Bu- 
chanan. Their  home  was  Coitsville,  Ohio. 
Child:  i.  Samuel  (2),  born  Apr.  7,   1825. 

SAMUEL  (2)  McBRIDE,  born  April  7,  1825;  died  February  21, 
1896,  at  Chetopa,  Kansas;  married  Rebecca  Stewart,  a  daughter  of 
Elijah  (6)  and  Agnes  (McGaughey)  Stewart,  October  1,  1851,  and 
came  to  Somonauk  in  the  spring  of  1853,  joining  the  United  Presby- 
terian Church  there.  He  enlisted  in  the  105th  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  Co.  H. 
Rebecca  Stewart  was  born  Apr.  30,  1831,  at  Coitsville;  died  Feb., 
1911,  at  Tingley,  Iowa.  Children:  i.  Alvin  Stewart  (3),  born  May 
25,  1855;  ii.  Agnes  Mary,  born  Feb.  22,  1858. 

ALVIN  STEWART  (3)  McBRIDE,  born  May  25,  1855;  married 
January  4,  1881,  Mary  Stott,  born  January  21,  18  57.  Their  home  is 
White  Pigeon,  Michigan. 

Children: 
i.  Frances  R.  (4),  born  Oct.  6,  1881;  married  Joseph  Shoenfelt, 

1903.  With  her  son  Joseph  resides  in  Chicago, 
ii.  Ella  S.,  born  Aug.  12,  1883;  married  L.  A.  Munshower. 


ADDITIONS  AND  CORRECTIONS 

iii.  Jannette,  born  June  14,   1884;  married  R.  A.  Longloy. 
iv.  Abbie,  born  Apr.  16,  18  86;  married  Howard  Eckles. 
v.  Thomas,  born  July  11,  1889. 

AGNES  MARY  (3)  McBRIDE,  born  February  22,  1858,  in  Victor 
township,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois j  died  in  Chicago,  April  20,  1890; 
graduated  from  Monmouth  College  in  1881;  married  February  27, 
18  84,  Andrew  L.  (8)  French.  They  are  buried  in  Oak  Mound. 
Page  181.  McCLEERY.  Change  "iii.  George"  to  read— iii.  George 
French  and  add — married  Martha  (6)  Randies.  Children:  i.  Helen 
Emily  (5);  ii.  Sarah  Marie,  died  1912. 

Page  194.  McEACHRON.  For  "$200,000"  read— $2,200,000. 

Page  195.  For  "Mary  Robertson,  born  Jan.  20,"  read— born  Jan.  10. 

Page  201.  MERCER.  Alvin  (2)  Mercer  married  in  18  84. 

Page  207.  ORR.  James  Doig  Orr  (2)  married  Mar.  2  (not  Nov.), 
1871.  Children:  i.  Mary  Ella  (3),  died  Jan.  14,  18  77;  ii.  Minnie  J., 
living  1928,  married  July  16,  1896,  Robert  H.  B.  Little.  Child: 
Robert  Lee  Little, born  Mar.  15,  190  3. For  "Sarah  M."  read — Sarah L. 

Page  219.  PATTEN.  After  "William  Somes  (6),»  add— Children : 
i.  William  Howard  (7),  born  Dec.  20,  1898;  ii.  Mabel  Erma,  born 
July  24,  1903,  died  Oct.  9,  1914;  iii.  Charles  Harold,  born  1909. 

Page  220.  After  "i.  Mary  Catherine  P.  (6)  Post,"  add— Children : 
i.  Robert  P.  Post,  born  June  2,  1868,  died  July  31,  1870;  ii.  Cath- 
erine Mary  Post,  born  Mar.  29,   1871,  died  Aug.   12,   1871. 

Page  221.  After  "iii.  Alice  Lovica  (6)  Protzman,"  add— Child:  Gil- 
bert Irving  Protzman,  born  Dec.  17,  18  77;  married  Nov.  8,  1900, 
Ethel  Kershner.  Children:  i.  Mary  Alice,  born  Jan.  26,  1902;  ii. 
Catherine  A.,  born  Jan.  16,  1906;  iii.  Ada  Leonora,  born  Sept.  9, 
1908;  iv.  Robert  Andrew,  born  Nov.  8,  1913. 

Page  223.  ii.  Thomas  Beveridge  died  May  14,   1911. 

Page  226.  RANDLES.  i.  Alexander  (5)  died  in  Kansas  City,  Kansas, 
May,  1925;  married  February  19,  1867,  Mary  Maxwell.  Came  to 
Somonauk,  1867.  Children:  i.  Herbert  (6)  ;  ii.  Anna  Elizabeth. 

For  "ii.  Roy,"  read — ii.  Le  Roy.  Children:  i.  Marguerite  (7);  ii. 
Ada  Belle;  iii.  William  John. 

Add  after  "iii.  Andrew" — Children:  i.  Elizabeth  (7);  ii.  Janet; 
iii.  Martha.   A.  R.  is  pastor  of  U.  P.  church,  New  Castle,  Pa. 

Add  after  "iv.  Anna"— Mr.  Cox  died  in  1916.  Children:  i.  Ken- 
neth (7)  ;  ii.  Marjorie. 

Add  at  bottom  of  page — William  J.  (5)  Randies  married,  second, 
March  27,  1890,  Annette  Gray,  of  Ontario,  Canada,  a  sister  of  Mrs. 
Andrew  (3)  Gilchrist.  He  was  a  ruling  elder  many  years. 


ADDITIONS  AND  CORRECTIONS 

Page  232.  STEWART.  After  "iii.  Rebecca,"  add— married  Samuel  Mc- 
Bride.   (See  Additions  under  McBride.) 

Page  2  35.  WALKER.  "James  (2)  married  Helen  Oliver,"  add— 1804; 
born  in  Abbotsvale,  Scotland,  August  28,  1784;  died  Cambridge, 
N.  Y.,  April  25,    1837. 

Page  245.  Washington  County — Revolutionary  War. 

"After  the  massacre  of  Jane  McCrea  (in  July,  1777)  the  young 
patriots  of  Salem  met  and  enlisted  under  Colonel  John  Williams,  a 
prominent  citizen  of  the  town,  in  the  defense  of  their  country. 

"The  original  document  on  which  their  names  are  boldly  written 
is  still  preserved  in  the  Williams  family. 

"My  grandfather,  who  was  then  a  young  man  of  twenty-nine,  en- 
gaged in  clearing  up  the  woods  and  cultivating  the  fields  around  his 
log  cabin,  bidding  an  affectionate  farewell  to  his  widowed  mother  and 
sisters  and  brothers,  he  hastened  forward  with  the  enlisted  company, 
followed  by  some  of  the  gallant  sons  of  Vermont,  in  the  direction  of 
Stillwater  to  join  the  army  under  General  Gates. 

"The  march  of  these  young  men  lay  through  a  widely  extended 
forest  to  the  vicinity  of  Stillwater.  Safely  reaching  the  fields  which 
were  to  be  ever  afterward  memorable  in  American  history,  they  were 
ready  for  active  service  in  the  army. 

"The  hour  of  duty  soon  came  and  their  valor  was  conspicuously 
displayed  in  the  severe  engagement  of  Sept.  1 9th  and  in  the  obstinate, 
bloody  and  decisive  battle  of  Oct.  7th,  variously  known  as  Stillwater, 
Bemis  Heights  and  Saratoga. 

"My  ancestor  as  long  as  he  lived  would  speak  with  deep  emotion  of 
the  skirmishes  and  conflicts  in  the  fields  of  Saratoga,  in  which  he  and 
the  Salem  Boys,  side  by  side,  were  engaged,  when  sometimes  they 
poured  round  after  round  with  such  rapidity  into  the  ranks  of  the 
enemy  that  the  old  muskets,  becoming  hot,  could  scarcely  be  held  in 
their  hands." — D.  A.  Harsha  in  the  Albany  Argus ,  Oct.  10,   1886. 

Page  246.  For  "William  Sebree"  read — John  S.  Sebree.  W.  S.  came  later. 

Page  249.  Line  26  omit  "log"  before  school. 

Page  25  2.  Miss  Margaret  A.  McCleery,  by  certificate. 

Page  254.  Under  1864,  for  "Arvilla  RofT,"  read— Arvilla  Robb,  and 
add  the  name  of  Russell  Graham. 

Page  300,  second  paragraph — Miss  Patten  adds  the  following  note — 

Reasons  That  the  Colonists  Originally  Failed 
to  Receive  the  Land: 
First:  Those  who  came  with  Captain   Campbell   refused  to  settle 
under  him  as  dependents. 


ADDITIONS  AND  CORRECTIONS 

Second:  By  reason  of  Indian  troubles  settlement  was  unsafe. 

Third:  The  colonists  could  not  have  maintained  themselves  on  the 
land  until  crops  could  be  raised  without  government  aid,  which  was 
refused. 

Page  354.  SAVAGE.  After  "EDWARD  (2)»  add— Mrs.  Archibald 
Livingston  imparted  to  her  granddaughter  the  fact  that  at  the  close 
of  the  Revolutionary  War  all  of  the  Tories  among  the  Highland 
Scotch  in  Argyle  would  have  been  sent  to  Canada  and  their  lands 
confiscated  had  it  not  been  for  her  brother-in-law,  Hon.  Edward  Sav- 
age, of  Salem,  who  had  been  an  officer  in  the  war,  was  then  sheriff 
of  the  county,  and  had  sufficient  influence  to  prevent  this  misfortune 
falling  upon  his  wife's  relatives  and  friends. 

After  "JOHN  (3)»  add— The  Chief  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court 
at  New  York  for  twenty-three  consecutive  years  were  natives  of 
Washington  County.  Chief  Justice  Savage  was  succeeded  in  1836  by 
Hon.  Samuel  Nelson,  son  of  John  Rogers  Nelson,  of  Hebron,  who 
served  until  1845,  when  he  resigned  to  become  an  Associate  Justice 
of  the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  which  office  he  held  for  nearly 
thirty  years.  He  was  an  uncle  of  James  and  Samuel  Nelson  McClel- 
lan,  of  Somonauk,  Illinois. 

Page  353.  Preceding  the  Clark  Family  insert  the  following: 

THE  McDOUGALL  FAMILY 

Among  the  Highland  Scotch  colonists  who  came  with  Captain 
Lauchlan  Campbell  in   1738  were: 

RANALD  (1)  McDOUGALL,  wife  (maiden  name)  Elizabeth 
McDougall,  and  sons  John  and  Alexander,  born  in  the  Isle  of  Islay, 
Scotland.  Ranald  ( 1 )  was  grantee  of  Lot  No.  1 6  of  the  Argyle  pat- 
ent in  Albany  (now  Washington)  County,  New  York,  in  1764.  He  did 
not  settle  on  his  land  in  Argyle,  but  lived  for  many  years  in  New 
York  City,  where  he  died  before  March  26,  1764,  when  his  will  was 
probated  there. 

Children: 
i.  John  (2),  married  and  had  two  sons,  John  and  Alexander, 
ii.  General  Alexander  McDougall,  of  Revolutionary  fame,  born 
in  1732,  in  the  Parish  of  Kildalton,  Isle  of  Islay,  Scotland; 
died  in  New  York  City  June  8,  1786;  married,  first,  while 
on  a  visit  in  the  Isle  of  Islay,  Scotland,  in  1751,  Ann  Lang- 
wille,  daughter  of  Stephen  McDougall,  and  the  same  year 
returned  to  New  York  City.  General  Alexander  McDougall, 
at  his  death,  owned  Lots  Nos.  16,  30  and  31  in  Argyle  that 
were  sold  by  his  executors  and  the  deeds  recorded  in  the 
County  Clerk's  office  in  Hudson  Falls,  New  York. 


ADDITIONS  AND  CORRECTIONS 

Children: 

i.  John  (3),  died  unmarried  in  the  Canada  expedition  of  1775. 
ii.  Ranald  Stephen  (3),  died  unmarried  from  the  result  of  in- 
juries received  in  the  field  in   1776. 
iii.   Elizabeth  (3),  married  John  Lawrence,  the  Judge  Advocate 
General  who  presided  at  the  trial  of  Major  Andre, 
iii.  Mary    McDougall    married,    first,    Apr.    6,    1758,    Archibald 
Hamilton  and  had  a  daughter  Elizabeth}  married,  second, 
Oct.  9,  1760,  John  Thompson  and  had  a  son  John  Thomp- 
son; married,  third,  Dec.   19,   1763,  Alexander  Stewart. 

Page  353.  The  character  of  Mrs.  Livingston  is  shown  in  the  following 
incident:  One  Sabbath  evening  soon  after  the  murder  of  Jane  McCrea 
one  of  the  Livingston  family  rushed  into  the  house  with  the  startling 
intelligence  that  the  Indians  were  crossing  the  Battenkill  near  the 
house.  Nearly  all  the  family  fled  to  a  nearby  cornfield  except  Mrs. 
Livingston,  who  refused  to  leave  her  sick  father  and  her  sleeping 
children.  Seating  herself  at  her  father's  bedside  she  calmly  waited 
expecting  every  moment  that  the  savages  would  burst  in  and  kill 
them  all.  At  length  the  family  returned  reporting  that  the  alarm  had 
been  false.  The  incident  well  illustrates  the  heroic  nature  of  this 
pioneer  mother. 

Page  356,  line  26.  Robert  Clark  died  1762. 

Page  357.  Add — Mrs.  Archibald  Livingston  is  authority  for  the  follow- 
ing incident:  One  Sabbath  Dr.  Clark  was  holding  services  in  a  barn, 
when  a  pet  pig,  following  the  Archibald  Livingstons  to  church, 
entered  the  barn.  Dr.  Clark  paused  in  his  sermon  to  remark,  "Archie, 
thee  had  better  leave  thy  swine  at  home."  Mrs.  James  (4)  Patten  in 
telling  her  granddaughter,  Jennie  M.  Patten,  this  story  added  that 
the  early  settlers  in  Washington  County  had  to  make  pets  of  their  live 
stock  to  keep  them  at  home.  Bears,  wolves  and  other  wild  animals 
were  plentiful  in  the  woods,  which  were  so  dense  that  in  clearing  a 
space  for  a  cabin  enough  logs  were  obtained  for  building  the  house. 
When  the  women  went  into  the  forest  to  hunt  the  cows  it  was  their 
custom  to  partially  break  young  saplings  and  turn  the  tops  toward 
home  so  that  they  could  find  their  way  back. 

"As  each  generation  passes  away  so  much  of  family  history  goes 
with  it,  that,  realizing  that  Grandmother  was  the  last  of  her  genera- 
tion, I  learned  from  her  all  that  I  could  about  her  family  and  the 
historv  of  Washington  County,  and  recorded  much  of  it  in  note  books 
which  laid  the  foundation  of  the  future  "Somonauk  Book." — J.M.P. 

Let  us  hope  that  succeeding  generations  will  follow  Miss  Patten's 
example. 


